EU chief praises Macron as ‘hope of a generation’ ahead of Marine Le Pen showdown
EMMANUEL Macron has been praised by the European Union Foreign Policy chief as the “hope of our generation” as he gets set to face off against Marine Le Pen in the final round for the French Presidency.
Macron vows to transform French government as he thanks voters
Federica Mogherini has welcomed Mr Macron's apparent qualification for the second round of the election on Twitter and called him "the hope of our generation”.
She tweeted: ”See the flags of France and the European Union salute the results of [Emmanuel Macron], this is the hope and the future of our generation.”
Initial polls released by the Interior Minister placed Mr Macron slightly in front, but some of France’s major cities are yet to return their results.
Emmanuel Macron celebrating after the first round of the French Presidency election
Mr Macron will face-off Marine Le Pen in the final round for the French Presidency
The En Marche! candidate later proclaimed to his supporters they had "changed the face of politics".
He thanked his army of, largely, youthful followers and said he plans to now unite France behind him and secure a resounding victory in the final election on May 7.
While Ms Le Pen said: ”I accept the responsibility of taking part in the second round of voting with humility and gratitude.
Federica Mogherini has praised Mr Macron for making it through to the second round of the election
See the flags of France and the European Union salute the results of [Emmanuel Macron]
"I would like to express to you that this is an historic result and now we have an enormous responsibility to defend the French culture.
She added: "This result has shown an enormous confidence by the French people in the future of France.
Socialist leader Benoit Hamon conceded and has now thrown his support behind Mr Macron.
Hamon urges supporters to vote for Macron in French election
Mr Macron is a pro-EU candidate
He also told his dedicated crowd to reject Ms Le Pen "in the strongest way".
Gérard Collomb, the Socialist mayor of Lyon and a Macron supporter, said: "He has succeeded in doing what few people expected. When, a year ago, we launched his movement En Marche!, people said: ‘It’s impossible, someone who does not belong to a political party can’t reach the second round'.
"It reveals a serious malaise in society, with people who don’t recognise themselves in the traditional parties. We are, without doubt, beginning a new era."