The West breathed a sigh of relief when President Macron was re-elected

Grandfather Emmanuel Macron today was determined to win the second round of the French presidential election with 58.8% of the vote, defeating far-right rival Marine Le Pen, who won 41.2% of the vote. With this victory, he became the first French president to be re-elected since 2002.

Addressing a crowd of supporters at the Champ de Mars near the Eiffel Tower, Macron said his victory would bring “a more independent France and a stronger Europe”.

Luke McGee, analyst at CNN, said the results of the second round of the French presidential election brought “a sigh of relief” for Western allies, especially in Brussels, where the European Union (EU) and the Treaty Organization are located. North Atlantic (NATO).

The French presidential election comes as Europe faces a serious challenge: Ukraine conflict. Many believe that the security crisis has underscored the need for a united West, which, in the face of Russia, is seeking to weaken the alliance.

France is a member of NATO, EU and G7. The country is also a nuclear power and has a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. While participating in the pillars of the Western order, France has long advocated an independent foreign policy, meaning it can act as a mediator between the US-led Western order and other nations. countries like Iran, China or Russia.

Before Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine, President Macron went to Moscow to meet directly with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. He also actively launched a shuttle diplomacy effort to find a way to resolve the crisis, while Western allies increased sanctions pressure on Russia.

While some of Mr. Macron’s decisions in the Ukraine crisis have taken allies by surprise, NATO is essentially on the same page. As he entered the second round of elections with the far-right candidate, Western leaders feared that Le Pen’s victory could shake transatlantic relations.

If Le Pen wins, she could change the axis of power in Europe, given her disdain for organizations like NATO and the EU. Although she has softened her anti-European tone, Ms. Le Pen seems intent on radically reforming the EU, in order to prioritize the interests of French nationalists.

Le Pen’s relationship with the Russian President Vladimir Putin will do the most damage to the Western order, according to Dominic Waghorn, political analyst at Sky News.

Le Pen, who visited the Kremlin during the 2017 election campaign, has repeatedly expressed pro-Russia views. Despite criticizing Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, she said that Europe should restore relations with Moscow after the crisis is over.

Roger Cohen, analyst at NY Timessaid that if she wins against incumbent President Macron, Le Pen will almost certainly pursue policies that undermine the united front of the West.

“If Brexit is a blow to European unity, Le Pen’s nationalist France will leave the EU. That would cripple a key continent peace-guarantor. in uncertain times,” Cohen said.

“The West has avoided that scenario thanks to Mr. Macron’s victory. There will be sighs of relief across the leadership offices in Europe,” Waghorn said.

German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz declared that Mr Macron’s victory was “a vote of confidence in Europe”. The British Prime Minister congratulated the French leader and called Paris “one of our closest and most important allies”.

Mr. Scholz and two other European leaders last week also took the unexpected step of making clear the importance of the French election, when they published a commentary in Le Monde newspaper, expressing concern about the risk of Ms. Le Pen. win.

“It is a choice between a democratic candidate, who believes that France is stronger in a strong European Union, and a far-right candidate openly siding with those who attack our freedom and democracy.” us”, the commentary reads.

The victory of President Macron, who has always expressed his desire for Europe to become stronger and more united in foreign and security policies, means that the current European security status will be maintained for the next 5 years. .

“France and Germany remain the mainstays of Europe, while Mr Macron is likely to continue to play a prominent role in leading the continent diplomatically,” said Dominic Waghorn, an analyst at the European Securities and Exchange Commission. Sky News, identify.

Thanh Tam (According to NY Times, CNN, Sky News)