The main international reactions to the re-election of Emmanuel Macron
Charles Michel, President of the European Council and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission were among the first to congratulate the re-election of French President Emmanuel Macron (illustration image) REUTERS - SARAH MEYSSONNIER
Text by: RFI Follow
6 mins
Emmanuel Macron's re-election on Sunday April 24 after a second round marked by an increase in the far right was applauded in European capitals, which also highlighted the European challenges ahead for the French president.
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Abroad, the first political leaders to speak out were France's European partners.
Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, was one of the first to speak: “
Warm congratulations, dear Emmanuel Macron.
In this turbulent period, we need a solid Europe and a France totally committed to a more sovereign and more strategic European Union.
We can count on France for five more years.
»
Warm bravo dear @EmmanuelMacron
In these turbulent times, we need a solid Europe and a France totally committed to a more sovereign and more strategic European Union.
We can count on #France #5 more years.
pic.twitter.com/JEPf6Pqght
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) April 24, 2022
The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen also welcomed this re-election.
She wrote in French on Twitter: “
Dear Emmanuel Macron, congratulations on your re-election as President of the Republic.
I look forward to continuing our excellent cooperation.
Together, we will move France and Europe forward.
»
Dear @EmmanuelMacron, congratulations on your re-election as President of the Republic.
I look forward to continuing our excellent cooperation.
Together, we will move France and Europe forward.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 24, 2022
In English and then in French, Boris Johnson also congratulated Emmanuel Macron.
After establishing France as "
one of (our) closest and most important allies
", the British Prime Minister said he was "
happy to continue to work together on key issues for (our) two countries and for the world
”.
The President of the Spanish government Pedro Sanchez believes that with this re-election, “
democracy wins
” and “
Europe wins
”.
“
I look forward to continuing our good collaboration
,” said Swiss President Ignazio Cassis.
Congratulations to @EmmanuelMacron for your re-election as President of the French Republic.
France is one of our closest and most important allies.
I am happy to continue to work together on key issues for our two countries and for the world.
—Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) April 24, 2022
“Wonderful news for Europe”
“
I look forward to continuing our extensive and constructive cooperation within the EU and NATO, and to further strengthening the excellent relationship between our two countries
,” explained Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
Alexander De Croo, Belgian Prime Minister and ally of Emmanuel Macron, believes for his part that "
the French have made a strong choice
" by opting "
for certainties and for the values of the Enlightenment
".
In Italy, the re-election of Emmanuel Macron represents above all the victory of Europeanism against sovereignism, analyzes our correspondent in Rome,
Anne Le Nir
.
“
This is wonderful news for all of Europe
,” rejoices Council President Mario Draghi.
Democratic Party Secretary Enrico Letta echoed him, speaking of “
great relief
.”
For Italia Viva by Matteo Renzi, "
Macron's victory will strengthen the Paris-Rome axis and will therefore allow Italy to expand its place on the European scene
".
Finally, the only discordant voice within the government coalition, that of the head of the League, Matteo Salvini, who encourages his friend Marine Le Pen to "
move forward
», with him, «
for a Europe based on work, family and security
».
Relief in Berlin
In Germany, Olaf Scholz was quick to congratulate his re-elected counterpart Emmanuel Macron: “
Your voters have sent out a strong signal for Europe.
I look forward to continuing our cooperation
.”
Congratulations, herzliche Glückwünsche, lieber Präsident @EmmanuelMacron.
Deine Wählerinnen und Wähler haben heute auch ein starkes Bekenntnis zu Europa gesendet.
Ich freue mich, dass wir unsere gute Zusammenarbeit fortsetzen!
pic.twitter.com/ZJQSc6OAz9
— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) April 24, 2022
In the hour following the first estimates, the reactions multiplied in Germany, which proves how much concern was mounting in Germany and how important the relief is.
Because if Marine Le Pen had won in France, it was for Germany the loss of the essential partner, explains our correspondent in Berlin,
Pascal Thibaut
.
And then obviously, a questioning of European construction, a project for which the two countries play a central role.
Finance Minister Christian Lindner, Vice-Chancellor, also hailed the re-election of Emmanuel Macron, saying that a united Europe was the big winner of this election.
The President of the Republic also made a speech in the hour following the closing of the polling stations: “
I am delighted that the majority of voters supported your European commitment.
Your re-election is good news for us Germans
”.
A fine connoisseur of France, the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Climate Franziska Brantner also recalls that "
this is an opportunity for democracy and for Europe, but that we must seize it and that also depends on us Germans.
It also emphasizes that the responsibility is shared.
»
“Motivated and dynamic leadership”
In Ireland, Prime Minister Micheal Martin praised the "
motivated and dynamic leadership
" of Emmanuel Macron, a leadership "
important not only for France, but also for Europe
".
The French president also received “
warm congratulations
” from Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson.
And Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store also welcomed the fact that the French have chosen "
liberal democracy rather than the extreme right
".
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin is "
looking forward to continuing to work together for Europe, security and the still very close relations between France and Finland
".
“
Democracy wins.
Europe wins.
Congratulations
,” wrote Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in a tweet, who along with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa
had implicitly called for a vote for Emmanuel Macron
against Marine Le Pen.
For his part, the Portuguese Antonio Costa, in a message in French on his Twitter account, wrote: "
In these troubled times for our continent and the world, it is crucial to count on France to defend multilateralism, security, fight against climate change and to commit to building a humanist, fairer, greener and more prosperous Europe
”.
In these troubled times for our continent and the world, it is crucial to count on France to defend multilateralism, security, the fight against climate change and to engage in the construction of a humanist, more equitable, green Europe. and prosperous
— António Costa (@antoniocostapm) April 24, 2022
Beyond the borders of Europe, the Canadian Justin Trudeau is one of the first to have spoken.
The Prime Minister posted a photo of himself with Emmanuel Macron and added the words: "
I look forward to continuing our work together on issues important to Canadians and French people - from defending democracy, to the fight against climate change and economic growth for the middle class.
»
At the UN, the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) sent its "
strong congratulations
" to Emmanuel Macron: "
We will continue to count on his support - in France, in Europe and around the world - while the humanitarian challenges and refugee crises are becoming more serious and complex every day
,” said Filippo Grandi.
The Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his “
looking forward to continuing the important partnership
” with France.
Congratulations, my friend @EmmanuelMacron, on your re-election as President of #France.
I look forward to continuing the important partnership between 🇫🇷 and @WHO for a healthier, safer and fairer world.
pic.twitter.com/8vYLErniKF
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) April 24, 2022
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Emmanuel Macron
Presidential France 2022
European Union