This is a clear victory for President Macron: his lead over Marine Le Pen is big enough to be unambiguous and allow him to embark on a second mandate with confidence.
In the end the threat from the far right proved to have been over-stated in the polls.
Nonetheless, it is still the biggest ever score by the nationalist camp.
Combined with the very high rate of abstentions and spoiled ballots, it confirms the impression of a country divided and unhappy.
Both Marine Le Pen and the far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon – who was knocked out in round one – have vowed to take their revenge on President Macron in the parliamentary elections that will take place in June.
source:Hugh schlofield