Macron victory
The verdict of worlds media
AFP
PARIS: The worlds media largely hailed the thumping victory of pro-EU centrist Emmanuel Macron in Frances presidential election on Sunday, but sounded a note of caution about the task ahead, reports AFP.
Here is some early global reaction from the press on Macrons victory over far right rival Marine Le Pen to become the countrys youngest ever president.
- Britain -
The Financial Times hailed Macrons win but cautioned that Macrons victory is incomplete and warned that the electoral race legitimised the French far right as never before. If Mr Macron should stumble, it is altogether unclear what solution might keep Ms Le Pen at bay in 2022, the paper wrote.
The Guardian similarly warned of a tough road ahead but also saluted French voters, saying they had made Europe safer through their choice of Macron. French voters have averted the catastrophe of a Marine Le Pen presidency. The task for Emmanuel Macron is to deliver change, prosperity, unity and healing, the paper wrote.
- France -
An early edition front page of Liberation, the left-leaning French newspaper, simply declared Well played, alongside a portrait of Macron.
Macron elected, it said on its website, alongside several pictures of the 39-year-old. I will do all I can to be worthy of your trust and confidence, it quoted Macron as saying. Le Mondes website carried Macrons picture in the foreground, with defeated rival Le Pen in shadow. I will defend France, its vital interests. Its image, its headline quoted him saying.
- Germany -
Conservative German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung said Europe has avoided the nightmare.
The unthinkable has been avoided: France will not be led by a woman of the far-right. The clear victory of Emmanuel Macron provides reassurance, but Europe must not be under any illusions.
Left-wing daily Tageszeitung wrote that the clear victory of Emmanuel Macron is an enormous relief for France.
- United States -
The New York Times said in an editorial that Macrons was a victory of hope and optimism over fear and reaction; of a future in Europe rather than in resentful isolation.
But it noted the challenges facing Macron: He is taking charge of a nation deeply divided, much like the United States, Britain and other major democracies, with many people feeling marginalized by globalization, economic stagnation, an unresponsive government, unemployment, faceless terrorism and a tide of immigrants.
In an opinion piece for Fox News, executive editor John Moody said France has taken the easy way out, and voted for more of the same.
He added: (Macron) wants France to stay in the European Union and continue its open borders policy that has brought thousands of Muslim immigrants to France.
