Macron and Le Pen to Fight for France Presidency
Macron and Le Pen to Fight for France Presidency
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PARIS - Emmanuel Macron has gone through to the second round of the French election, where he will face far-right leader Marine Le Pen.
Macron, centrist which a former banker, is seen as a political newcomer - and ran without the backing of an established party. After topping Sunday's vote, he is now favourite to win the run-off on 7 May. It is the first time in six decades that neither of France's main left-wing or right-wing parties has had a candidate in the second round.
And how tight is the race? Macron won 23.8 percent of votes in the first round, while Le Pen took 21.5 percent. The turnout was high, at almost 79 percent. The nearest challengers, centre-right François Fillon and hard-left Jean-Luc Mélenchon, fell behind with just over 19 percent each.
But several political rivals are now expected to unite behind Mr Macron in the run-off vote, in a bid to keep Le Pen's Front National (FN) from power. At 39, Macron could become the youngest president France has ever had - and the first president in the Fifth Republic who does not belong to a major party. He secured 8.4 million votes, more than any other candidate in the first round.
Macron was current President Francois Hollande's economy minister but quit to create his own party, En Marche, which pushes a liberal, pro-EU agenda.
His campaign promises include: A €50bn (£43bn; $53bn) public investment plan to cover job-training, exit from coal and shift to renewable energy, infrastructure and modernisation. Big cut in corporation tax and more leeway for companies to renegotiate 35-hour working week. Cut in jobless rate to 7 percent (now 9.7 percent) Ban on mobile phone use in schools for under-15s and a €500 culture pass for 18 year olds.
In a victory speech to supporters, Macron borrowed language favoured by his rival to describe himself as the patriotic choice for France.
"I hope that in a fortnight I will become your president. I want to become the president of all the people of France - the president of the patriots in the face of the threat from the nationalists," he said.
Macron, centrist which a former banker, is seen as a political newcomer - and ran without the backing of an established party. After topping Sunday's vote, he is now favourite to win the run-off on 7 May. It is the first time in six decades that neither of France's main left-wing or right-wing parties has had a candidate in the second round.
And how tight is the race? Macron won 23.8 percent of votes in the first round, while Le Pen took 21.5 percent. The turnout was high, at almost 79 percent. The nearest challengers, centre-right François Fillon and hard-left Jean-Luc Mélenchon, fell behind with just over 19 percent each.
But several political rivals are now expected to unite behind Mr Macron in the run-off vote, in a bid to keep Le Pen's Front National (FN) from power. At 39, Macron could become the youngest president France has ever had - and the first president in the Fifth Republic who does not belong to a major party. He secured 8.4 million votes, more than any other candidate in the first round.
Macron was current President Francois Hollande's economy minister but quit to create his own party, En Marche, which pushes a liberal, pro-EU agenda.
His campaign promises include: A €50bn (£43bn; $53bn) public investment plan to cover job-training, exit from coal and shift to renewable energy, infrastructure and modernisation. Big cut in corporation tax and more leeway for companies to renegotiate 35-hour working week. Cut in jobless rate to 7 percent (now 9.7 percent) Ban on mobile phone use in schools for under-15s and a €500 culture pass for 18 year olds.
In a victory speech to supporters, Macron borrowed language favoured by his rival to describe himself as the patriotic choice for France.
"I hope that in a fortnight I will become your president. I want to become the president of all the people of France - the president of the patriots in the face of the threat from the nationalists," he said.
(rnz)
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