Return of le Mac

Macron beats far-right rival Le Pen but she narrows votes gap

- TOM PARRY

EMMANUEL Macron squeezed through to a second term as French president last night after far-right rival Marine Le Pen picked up 42% of the vote, according to exit polls.

Mr. Macron, 44, became only the fourth person in history to be elected as France's leader for the second time, with 58%.

But his share of the vote had tumbled from 2017, when he gained 66% in the second-round run-off, also against Ms. Le Pen, 53.

Addressing cheering crowds in Paris last night, he said: “A majority of you have given me the chance to be president for the next five years.

“I know many of our people voted for me not because they support me but to stop the far right. I want to thank them too."

Last night's result was dominated by the highest number of abstensions in 50 years, with just seven in 10 of those eligible to vote turning out at polling stations.