Johnson applauds win for Macron in France

THE UK expects to continue to enjoy a “good relationship” with France, following the reelection of President Emmanuel Macron, Downing Street said yesterday.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman acknowledged that there were differences over issues such as stemming the flow of migrants crossing the Channel, but added that such issues should not detract from the overall relationship.

“We have always enjoyed a good relationship. As the Prime Minister said over the weekend, France is one of our closest and most important allies. We will continue to discuss with them some of the key issues – the shared issues that we have,” the spokesman said.

“At the moment we are focused on seeking to resolve some of these bilateral issues, be it the Channel crossings, some of the issues around the Northern Ireland Protocol, and other issues. None of that should detract from the close relationship between the UK and France.”

The spokesman said the two leaders had a “good working relationship”, adding: “Anyone who saw how they interacted in person at the end of the G7 [Summit in Cornwall last year] or elsewhere can see that they have a good working relationship that benefits both countries.”

Boris Johnson said it was “very important” to have a French president “who can be relied upon” on international issues such as the war in Ukraine. Mr Macron defeated right-wing rival Marine Le Pen to secure a second term in office.

The Prime Minister said: “I think it’s very important that we have, in Paris, a president of the French Republic who can be relied upon when it comes to some of the most important international issues, and particularly when you look at what’s been going on in Ukraine.

“It’s not right for friendly governments to comment on elections in neighbouring countries, but what I can certainly say is that it is very, very important that Emmanuel and I have been able to work closely together on Ukraine over the last few weeks and months.

“We share a very common, very similar perspective and the unity of the West, the unity of Nato, has been absolutely vital for the stance we’ve taken against Putin, and that will now continue and I’m very, very reassured by that.”

Macron’s victory ensured a second five-year term for the 44-year-old centrist and spared France and Europe from the upheaval of having the populist Ms Le Pen at the helm.

Mr Macron won with 58.5% of the vote to Ms Le Pen’s 41.5% – significantly closer than when they first faced off in 2017. Mr Macron is the first French president in 20 years to win re-election, since incumbent Jacques Chirac trounced Ms Le Pen’s father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, in 2002.

The far-right Ms Le Pen called her results “a shining victory,” adding that “in this defeat, I can’t help but feel a form of hope”.

Breaking through the threshold of 40% of the vote is unprecedented for the French far-right. Ms Le Pen was beaten 66% to 34% by Mr Macron in 2017, and her father got less than 20% against Mr Chirac.