Macron's Election Victory Is Only Half The Battle

"No one from the Le Pen family had managed ever before to achieve such results in the national election, which means that the popularity of the National Front is still growing", the journalist noted.

Putin also wished the newly elected French president good health, well-being and success in fulfilling important duties as the head of state.

However, the former economy minister is in favor of joint bond issuance which, according to Jörg Krämer, would sharply reduce each euro zone government's motivation to pursue sensible fiscal policies.

This freaky video shows Le Pen, the daughter of party founder and Holocaust denier Jean-Marie Le Pen, hitting the dance floor just hours after her defeat.

Some said they only voted for Mr Macron to stop her winning.

The interior ministry on Sunday reported a record number of blank and invalid ballots, accounting for nine percent of all registered voters, compared with two percent in the first round.

The France Insoumise (France Unbowed) of firebrand left Jean-Luc Melenchon was shown trailing in fourth on 13-15 per cent, ahead of the tattered Socialists of outgoing President Francois Hollande on 8-9 per cent.

Relief at the likely defeat of far-right leader Ms Le Pen had already pushed France's benchmark equity index up 6 per cent in the previous two weeks, and yesterday the France CAC 40 retreated 0.9 per cent to 5,385 by late morning (local time).

She then put her election defeat behind her and danced the night away at National Front party headquarters in Paris.

He said May discussed Brexit with Macron, saying "the United Kingdom wants a strong partnership with a secure and prosperous European Union once we leave".

Ms Sylvie Goulard, a French deputy to the European Parliament, said Mr Macron would make Berlin his first official visit, with perhaps a stop to see French troops stationed overseas as well.

Emmanuel Macron was confronted on Monday with pressing reminders of the major challenges facing him after he is sworn in as France's next president this weekend.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed his win, but appeared cautious about proposals to support his economic plans either by relaxing European spending rules or with a dedicated stimulus fund. She later danced with supporters, shimmying to the tune of the Village People's "Y.M.C.A".

British Prime Minister Theresa May told the French President-elect, Emmanuel Macron, that she looks forward to work with him on a range of shared issues and reiterated the UK's desire to have a strong partnership with the European Union after its exit from the economic bloc.

A jump in the euro after the first round of the election, and high expectations for Macron's victory in the second round, may have to do with the dampened gains.