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| Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech outside the Louvre on Sunday night. / Yonhap |
By Lee Han-soo
Pro-EU centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron became France's youngest President in a landslide victory Monday.
Macron, 39, an investment banker, defeated Le Pen 66 percent to 33 percent and became the first President from outside the two traditional parties ― Socialists and Republicans ― that have governed since the World War II.
"I want it to be a page of hope and renewed trust," Macron said after his victory became certain.
"I have heard the rage, anxiety and doubt that a lot of you have expressed and vow to spend my five years in office fighting the forces of division that undermine France."
Macron's supporters gathered to celebrate their victory outside the Louvre Museum.
"Tonight you won, France won. Everyone told us it was impossible, but they don't know France," Macron told the crowd.
Meanwhile, Le Pen thanked her supporters and wished Macron success in tackling the huge obstacles facing him. She also spoke of renewing her National Front Party, which would start a"deep transformation."
Outgoing President Francois Hollande, who was once Macron's mentor and had appointed him economy minister, congratulated Macron.
"His large victory confirms that a very great majority of our citizens wanted to unite around the values of the Republic and show their attachment to the European Union and show France is open to the world," Hollande said.
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