Irish Examiner view: Macron's win is a victory for Europe

Emmanuel Macron held back the far right and won re-election. But he has yet to win the hearts and minds of the French people

Supporters celebrate as confirmation of French president Emmanuel Macron's re-election is flashed up on a giant screen at the foot of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Picture: Rafael Yaghobzadeh/AP

The ripples of relief that spread across Europe yesterday in the wake of Emmanuel Macron’s victory in the French presidential election were as palpable as they were genuine.

From the Western alliance of countries supporting Ukraine’s fight against Russian invaders to almost  every single European leader, Macron’s re-election was a triumph in so many ways.