Emmanuel Macron clinches French presidential election: How Europe's media reacted to the result

After Emmanuel Macron crushed Far Right leader Marine Le Pen to become the next French President, the media in Europe largely hailed the 39-year-old, who also became the youngest ever leader of France. Here’s how newspapers in Europe reacted to news of Macron’s victory.

Liberation, the Left-leaning newspaper founded by 20th Century French philosopher Jean Paul Sartre, carried a portrait of Macron on the cover with the words Bien Joue, meaning “well done”. On the back, it had a portrait of Marine Le Pen with the words Bien Fait, or “well played”.

La une recto-verso de #Liberation demain. pic.twitter.com/eWBV6POjX5

— Philippe Etienne (@dudijonnais) May 7, 2017

Le Figaro played upon Macron’s En Marche movement — “neither of the Left, nor Right” — by carrying the headline La victorie en marchant, literally translating to “a walking victory'.

La Une de l'édition A de @Le_Figaro datée 8 mai, suite à l'élection de @EmmanuelMacron à la présidence de la République française... pic.twitter.com/Blzvi6bt2B

— Marc Landré (@marclandre) May 7, 2017

Le Parisien highlighted Macron’s age and brought out the fact that he becomes France’s youngest ever president at just 39. Its cover carried Macron’s victorious gesture and the words ‘39, ans et president!’ (39 years, and president!).

Voici la Une de votre journal @le_Parisien Aujourd'hui en France ce lundi. #Presidentielle2017 #MacronPrésident pic.twitter.com/w4tKBSn4zk

— Le Parisien (@le_Parisien) May 7, 2017

Macron’s victory was predictably the main news item across the English Channel as well, with most British newspapers giving it front page coverage. The Times carried a photograph of cheering supporters and said ‘Landslide for Macron’.

THE TIMES: Landslide for Macron #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/UxBR5fPnqn

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) May 7, 2017

The Daily Telegraph gave Macron’s victory a Brexit spin, by talking about what the result could mean for UK’s plans of exiting the European Union. “France’s new hope puts cloud over Brexit”, the lead story said, while a secondary article carried analysis about Macron’s job of preserving the EU’s unity.

TELEGRAPH: France's new hope puts cloud over Brexit #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/ydSc3fgJrK

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) May 7, 2017

The Independent saw the result as one that bucked the trend of poll victories going the way of the Far Right. “France stems tide of the populist revolution”, said the headline with an image of Macron’s supporters celebrating the win.

INDEPENDENT DIGITAL: France stems tide of populist revolution #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/GGwzMYDBN8

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) May 7, 2017

For The Financial Times, it was straightforward coverage of Macron’s win, with a simple “Macron sweeps to victory in French presidential election” headline and an image of Macron waving to the media.

FINANCIAL TIMES: Macron sweeps to victory #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/kz8DRHbSxf

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) May 7, 2017

For The Guardian, Macron winning the French presidency couldn’t gloss over the deep divisions that exist in French society. Its coverage, which took up the entire front page, spoke of “anxiety and doubt” among the population.

GUARDIAN: Macron wins French presidency but country remains divided #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/zWOcEEVKrJ

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) May 7, 2017

In Spain as well, the popular El Pais newspaper spoke of Macron’s victory as being one that restrains populism’s march. Francia derrota al radicalismo (France defeats radicalism).

Fellow Spanish newspaper El Mundo said “Francia se pone en manos de Macron” (France puts itself in Macron’s hands), with the image of Macron gesturing after clinching his victory.