{O/C} Over to France, where incumbent leader, Emmanuel Macron, has snatched a second term in office, the first time in 20 years.
But with the margin of victory narrowing, vanquished far-right leader, Marine Le Pen, told supporters to slug it out in the parliamentary elections in June that could potentially have Macron's back against the wall.
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France's youngest president broke out in applause as triumphant crowds cheered Emmanuel Macron's victory in yesterday's run-off election in jubilation.
Carrying the day with 58.8 percent of the vote, compared with Le Pen's at 41.2 percent, Macron's margin of victory outdid earlier forecasts.
Thanking his compatriots with unadulterated joy, Macron vowed to reunite the deeply-riven country that's riddled with countless doubts and divisions and to allay the wrath of French voters that fuelled his nemesis, Marine Le Pen's momentum.
Perhaps the Elysee Palace gave Le Pen a wide berth given she came a cropper, conceding an agonising defeat.
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Be that as it may, Le Pen did punch above her weight as she called the outcome "a striking victory", telling her supporters not to worry given the June parliamentary elections.
What's more, she told her voters that Macron's victory was already tarnished by the lowest turnout in half a century.
Yet, knowing more voters cast their ballots in favour of him had the incumbent president striking a humble tone, saying he would be duty-bound to transform France.
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But Macron danced on a volcano as violent scenes were spotted across several French cities, with demonstrators making their gripes about his victory loud and clear.
Securing re-election is no dull feat in France. It's the first time in 20 years since former President Jacques Chirac's success in 2002.
But it is certain France's political landscape will be transformed.
Meantime, Japan, Australia and Italy praised Macron's long-anticipated victory as splendid news. This, as Macron has been among those meting out punitive sanctions to Russia over the Ukraine crisis.
And U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson both congratulated him on his success despite having sparred with each other over various issues last year.
Macron's victory solidifies France's commitment to collaborating with allies on all manner of issues, including the Ukraine crisis as well as regional security in the Indo-Pacific region.
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