5 reasons why Macron won French election
France has a new president and election was hugely significant for the European Union, Brexit and business. Here's why Emmanuel Macron won, reports insider.co.uk.
IDEALISM OF 'YOUTH'
At 39 years of age Macron is the youngest president ever in the history of the french Republic.
You have to go back to the 19th century and Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte - Napoleon's nephew - who came to power aged 40 for a leader anywhere near Macron's age.
Macron is much younger than Francois Hollande, who came to power at the age of 58, and Nicolas Sarkozy who was elected at 52.
At 39 years of age Macron is the youngest president ever in the history of the French Republic.
HE WAS CLEVER
Macron realised after years of power the French public were tired of the current political establishment, particularly the Socialist party he was a member of.
Instead he looked to other European countries - particularly Spain with Podemos and the Five-Star Movement in Italy - and set up his own, En Marche! (On the move).
Four months later he stood down from President Francois Hollande's government and established his own.
HE TRIED SOMETHING NEW
His first undertaking was to mobilise his new support with a Grande Marche - getting campaigners out knocking on doors and finding out in-depth what it was voters’ right across France wanted.
It worked. His massive 'focus group' gave him the base from which to launch his successful campaign.
HE HAD A POSITIVE MESSAGE
At first Macron appeared to be just a younger version of the very unpopular Hollande.
He was also a centrist with a radical programme to transform France - something which presidents before him really struggled to do.
But he managed to create a new profile for himself that resonated among the electorate desperate for a new direction in French politics.
He used his youth and energy to drive that forward to maximum effect.
While other candidates played on fear, his positivity shone through.
HE WAS UP AGAINST MARINE LE PEN
But he managed to create a new profile for himself that resonated among the electorate desperate for a new direction in French politics.
He used his youth and energy to drive that forward to maximum effect.
While other candidates played on fear, his positivity shone through.
HE WAS UP AGAINST MARINE LE PEN
Le Pen's campaign was more menacing, angrier, playing on people's fears and with a programme that would rip up the European project. For good.
France was not prepared to do that. They went with Macron's positive vision - encapsulated in his campaign rallies with pop music in brightly-lit arenas.
They were more of a celebration. His supporters certainly did plenty of celebrating with his victory last night.