Macron’s win is a snub to far right
We should be relieved the French people have rejected electing an extreme rightwing candidate as their new President and chose centreleft candidate Emmanuel Macron.
Europe’s dreadful history of fascism must never be forgotten, which is partly why the European Union was formed in the first place – to bring peace to a region devastated by two World Wars.
Apart from Donald Trump’s America, which is too large to make a comparison with, Britain is the only country wishing to take the nationalist route – via Brexit.
Our position in the world will be greatly diminished as a result. Christine Hanks, Woking, Surrey
#Thank goodness Emmanuel Macron has been elected the new French President. This is vital to the EU in the context of so many rightwingers trying to undermine its future, as well as our own. Hopefully, the defeat of far-right parties in France, Holland and Austria – not to mention the demise of UKIP here – will be repeated in Germany in September. Far-right policies are both disgusting and out of step with the views of fairminded people. There is now hope Theresa May might have to curb her anti-EU sentiments and build bridges in order to get a good deal out of the folly of Brexit. Norman Hanson Bingham, Notts
#Our relationship with our European neighbours is such a delicate matter, but Mrs May has gone in feet first with demands and wild accusations.
Faced with an expansionist Russia, international terrorism and challenges from the near and Far East, there was never a more pertinent time for Europe to stand as one.
The rejection of isolationism and a call for unity, as witnessed in the victory of Emmanuel Macron in France, proves the French public at least have a desire for progressive unity. It’s a shame the same cannot be said of the British public. Dennis James, Stafford
#So, the French electorate has rejected the far right and voted in a dashing young President with progressive ideals, in the shape of Emmanuel Macron. Instead, we are almost certain to be in for another five years of regressive Tory Government which is determined to take us back to the 1930s. If it wasn’t for the prospect of Brexit, I’d consider moving to France. CJ Martin, Basingstoke, Hants
#If Emmanuel Macron continues to expose, frustrate and defeat the far right in Europe he will be a good President. Well done to France for rejecting Marine Le Pen. Michael Elias, Carmarthen Carmarthenshire
#Having pro-EU Emmanuel Macron as the French President must be a dream come true for JeanClaude Juncker and co.
I am not, by nature, a Tory, but let us hope that after the General Election we have “that bloody difficult woman” Theresa May negotiating the terms of Brexit because I feel confident she will prove more than a match for Macron and EU bigwigs. S Graham Barnsley, South Yorks
#Macron is very good on words but I feel he will turn up short on deeds. Until June’s parliamentary elections he has no MPs. He could turn out to be a lame duck. Tim Wilson Newcastle upon Tyne