Macron has won!

[Tatiana]

50. Beautiful speech.

Thank you my friends, he says. Thank you for being here this evening. Thank you for having fought with such courage for so many months because this evening you have won, France has won.

What has been accomplished has no precedent or equivalent, he says. People said it was impossible. Thank you for the efforts, and the risks some people took. I take full measure of the honour.

He says he is aware he has not been given a blank cheque by those who voted for him simply to keep out the extremist parties. He says he will stand by his engagement to protect France.

He says of those who voted for Le Pen that he understands their fear and their anger and will do all he can to ensure during the next five years that they have no further reason to vote for the extremists.

This evening, he says, it is Europe and the world who are watching us.

Macron says the task facing us is immense, and will start tomorrow. It involves reinforcing France’s economy, building new defences, ensuring the safety of all French citizens. It is a huge job and it will require more of the same audacity that has brought us this far.

This task will require the involvement and commitment of everyone, he says. It will require the courage of truth. It will require the building of a real and strong majority, a majority for change that the country needs and deserves.

We have the strength and the energy. We will not give in to fear, to division, to lies, to a love of decline or defeat. I know what I owe you, to my companions, my family, my friends. It will not be easy. The job wil be difficult.

I will tell you the truth but your fervour and your courage will carry me forward. I want the unity of our people and of our country. And finally, I will serve you with humility, with force, and in the name of our motto: Liberty, equality and fraternity.

I will serve you with love, he says. Vive la République, vive la France.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2017/may/07/french-presidential-election-emmanuel-macron-marine-le-pen