World leaders rushed to congratulate France’s centrist President Emmanuel Macron on his re-election and defeat of far-right leader Marine Le Pen in elections Sunday.
Here are some of the main reactions:
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a cable to congratulate Emmanuel Macron on being re-elected for a second term as French president, the Saudi Press Agency reported early Monday.
The king expressed his best wishes for success to the president and commended the distinguished relations between Saudi Arabia and France and their peoples.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also sent a similar cable and wished success to the president and more progress to the French people.
The UAE
The UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent a message of congratulations to Emmanuel Macron on his re-election.
Sheikh Khalifa wished the French President continued success in achieving more progress and prosperity for the people of France, stressing the UAE’s keenness to continue developing relations between the two countries in various fields for the common good and interest of their peoples.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, sent two similar messages of congratulations to Macron.
Qatar
Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani congratulated President Emmanuel Macron on his re-election.
The Emir wished President Macron success in the next stage, expressing his aspiration to continue working together to achieve the common goals of Qatar and France in development and international peace.
“I congratulate President Emmanuel Macron on his re-election as President of the friendly French Republic with which we have strong strategic relations. I wish His Excellency success in the next stage and look forward to continuing to work together to achieve the common goals of our two countries in development and international peace,” Qatar Emir tweeted.
Egypt
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi also congratulated Emmanuel Macron.
Sisi wished Macron the completion of his term and leading his country to further progress and prosperity.
He hailed close, growing and historical relations between Egypt and France, expressing his aspiration to continue consultations and mutual coordination on regional and international files of common interest.
European Union
“We can count on France for five more years,” European Council President Charles Michel wrote on Twitter.
“I am delighted to be able to continue our excellent cooperation,” tweeted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
United States
“France is our oldest ally and a key partner in addressing global challenges,” US President Joe Biden tweeted. “I look forward to our continued close cooperation — including on supporting Ukraine, defending democracy, and countering climate change.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken also congratulated Macron.
“We look forward to continuing close cooperation with France on global challenges, underpinning our long and enduring Alliance and friendship,” he wrote.
Germany
Chancellor Olaf Scholz said French voters “have sent a strong vote of confidence in Europe today. I am happy that we will continue our good cooperation”.
Britain
Prime Minister Boris Johnson called France “one of our closest and most important allies”.
Johnson, in a tweet, said he looked forward “to continuing to work together on the issues which matter most to our two countries and to the world”.
Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has spoken with Macron several times since Russia’s invasion on February 24, congratulated his French counterpart by phone.
On Twitter, Zelensky called Macron a “true friend of Ukraine.”
“I wish him further success for the sake of the (French) people. I appreciate his support and I am convinced that we are moving together towards new common victories,” he wrote in both Ukrainian and French.
Australia
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Macron’s victory was a “great expression of liberal democracy in action in uncertain times”.
“We wish you and France every success, in particular your leadership in Europe and as an important partner to Australia in the Indo-Pacific,” he tweeted.
In November, Macron accused his Australian counterpart of lying over a multibillion-dollar submarine contract that Canberra scrapped without warning.
Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was “looking forward to continuing our work together on the issues that matter most to people in Canada and France — from defending democracy, to fighting climate change, to creating good jobs and economic growth for the middle class”.
India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated his “friend” on being re-elected.
“I look forward to continue working together to deepen the India-France Strategic Partnership,” Modi wrote.
Italy
Prime Minister Mario Draghi described Macron’s victory as “great news for all of Europe”.
Spain
“The citizens have chosen a France committed to a free, strong and fair EU. Democracy wins. Europe wins,” tweeted socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. “Congratulations Emmanuel Macron.”
Belgium
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said French voters had made a “strong choice”, opting for “certainty and Enlightenment values”.
UN bodies
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi sent his “warm congratulations” and said his organisation would continue to count on Macron’s support on the European and world stage “as humanitarian challenges and refugee crises become more serious and complex every day”.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he looked forward to “continuing the important partnership” with France “for a healthier, safer, fairer world”.
Ireland
Prime Minister Micheal Martin hailed Macron’s “principled and dynamic leadership” as “important not only for France, but for Europe”.
Switzerland
President Ignazio Cassis said he looked forward to “continuing our good collaboration,” stressing the close ties between the two neighbouring countries.
Sweden
Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson sent her “warmest congratulations”.
“Let’s continue our close cooperation – bilaterally and for a competitive, green and resilient European Union,” she tweeted.
Norway
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said France had chosen “liberal democracy over the far-right”.
Gabon
President Ali Bongo Ondimba of former French colony Gabon hailed Macron’s “brilliant re-election”.
“More than a shared past, our two countries have a future to build,” he said in online comments.