A rejection of nationalism, but a nation more divided than ever

PARIS: After probably the most personal and vitriolic campaign in its history, the French presidential election closed last night with exit polls predicting a win for Emmanuel Macron, the “teacher’s pet” from Amiens, with about 65 percent of the vote.

Not even a last-minute hacking scandal of his campaign e-mails, blamed on the Russians, was able to derail him. Marine Le Pen, the possessor of the most toxic name in European politics, looks set to emulate her father, Jean Marie Le Pen, by finishing second.

However, while Le Pen père won just 19 percent of the vote 15 years ago, his daughter appears to have had a better showing, with about 34 percent of the vote. This will give hope to her supporters, and leave the country more divided than ever.