France's 2017 Presidential Election: A Historic Turnout

A New Era of French Politics

The 2017 French presidential election was a watershed moment in French history. For the first time, neither the traditional left nor right-wing parties made it to the second round of voting. Instead, the two finalists were Emmanuel Macron, a centrist former economy minister, and Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Front party.

The First Round: A Surprise Result

In the first round of voting, held on April 23, Macron came out on top with 24.01 percent of the vote. Le Pen followed closely behind with 21.3 percent. The surprise of the first round was the strong performance of Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the leader of the left-wing La France Insoumise party, who came in third with 19.58 percent of the vote.

The Second Round: A Clear Victory

The second round of voting, held on May 7, was a clear victory for Macron. He won 66.10 percent of the vote, while Le Pen received 33.90 percent. Macron's victory was seen as a rejection of the far-right and a reaffirmation of France's commitment to the European Union.

A New President, a New Era

Emmanuel Macron's victory marked the beginning of a new era in French politics. At 39, he was the youngest president in French history. He promised to fight the divisions that undermine France and to work for a more just and prosperous society. Macron's election was also a sign of hope for the future of Europe. In the wake of Brexit and the rise of populism in other countries, Macron's victory showed that there is still a strong desire for cooperation and unity in Europe.