Charles Michel congratulates Emmanuel Macron on his election victory.
(Photo: dpa)
Paris Emmanuel Macron’s election victory triggers relief in many European capitals. Which is less due to Macron himself than to his adversary.
Marine Le Pen wanted to break away from decades of close cooperation with Germany. In addition, the EU-sceptical nationalist strived to decisively curb the influence of the European Union in France. In Brussels, she could have slowed down a number of projects out of self-interest.
The pro-European Macron, on the other hand, is considered a driving force in Europe in tandem with Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD). “We can count on France for five more years,” said the EU Council President Charles Michael communicate.
He congratulated the old and new French President via Twitter on the election victory: “In these turbulent times we need a strong Europe and a France that is fully committed to a more sovereign and strategic European Union,” wrote Michel.
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And also the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen used the short message service for her congratulations: “I am pleased to be able to continue our good cooperation.”
This is how the reactions from Germany turn out
Minister of State for Europe Anna Lührmann (Green) was relieved. “It’s a good choice for Europe. A weight falls from my heart,” she said after the announcement of the first election forecasts. “I am happy and relieved that France has clearly rejected isolationism, populism and nationalism in these elections.”
She is looking forward to continuing the trusting cooperation with France. “Together we will continue to work on a strong Europe, on climate neutrality and peace.”
FDP leader and federal finance minister Christian Lindner tweeted: “This election was a directional choice. It was about fundamental questions of values. The French have decided in favor of Macron. This makes a united Europe the biggest winner of this election.”
Green party leader Ricardo Lang wrote: “Now it is important to continue working together on a strong and sovereign Europe. And to fight to ensure that Putin friends and right-wing extremists like Le Pen do not come as close to government power as they do in France today.”
SPD leader Saskia Esken tweeted: “I dance! Great relief and our warmest congratulations to Emmanuel Macron and our French friends.”
A blessing from an economic perspective
“The outcome of the election is also a blessing for France’s economic perspective,” says Friedrich Heineman from ZEW. “The expansion of the state economy and the populist debt policy with Le Pen would have massively clouded France’s growth prospects.” However, the low turnout shows “a massive problem with the acceptance of open markets in one of the most important EU member states”.
More: Breathe a sigh of relief in Brussels and Berlin – Macron prevails against Le Pen