国际英语新闻:Projections show Macron elected French President

PARIS, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron won Sunday's runoff vote of the French presidential election, defeating his far-right rival Marine Le Pen, according to polling agency projections issued after the vote.

An estimation by research firm Elabe for BFMTV show that Macron won the presidential race with 65.9 percent of votes, while Le Pen scored 34.1 percent.

Other estimations also indicate that Macron garnered between 65 to 66.1 percent of votes, and Le Pen between 33.9 to 35 percent.

The results will make the 39-year-old former minster of economy the eighth president of the French Fifth Republic, and the youngest one ever.

In his first speech delivered after the win, Macron expressed "profound gratitude" to his voters, pledging to "calm the fears" and "bring all the French together."

"It's a great honor and a great responsibility," he said, promising to protect "the most fragile" and fight against "all sorts of inequality and discrimination."

"I am going to serve on your behalf with humility, with devotion, with determination," said Macron.

He said he knew the divisions of the country, adding that he had the responsibility to hear all the French.

On Europe, Macron said he would work to rebuild links between Europe and the people that form it.

Moreover, he said France is at the forefront of fight against terrorism, both on its own soil and internationally.

A cheering crowd of Macron's supporters gathered in front of the Louvre Museum in central Paris for a series of celebrate programs.

Le Pen delivered a speech to her supporters shortly after the release of the projections, conceding her defeat in the election and saying that "France has chosen continuity."

She congratulated Macron for winning the election, and wished him success in facing "immense coming challenges."

Regarding the legislative election in June, Le Pen pledged to "constitute a new political force," and called on "all patriots" to join her.

Despite her defeat, the results also made record for Le Pen's far-right National Front (FN) party.

Her father and co-founder of FN Jean-Marie Le Pen made it to the second round in 2002, but lost to Jacques Chirac by a big margin of 17.8 to 82.2 percent.

Outgoing French president Francois Hollande called Macron to congratulate his win, saying it marked French citizens' commitment to the European Union, and France's opening to the world.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Sunday congratulated on Macron's election victory, saying he was happy that "the French have chosen European future."

European Council President Donald Tusk also congratulated Macron, saying the French have chosen "liberty, equality, and fraternity."

German chancellor's chief of staff Peter Altmaier said over Twitter Macron's success has sent a strong signal for "common values" and Franco-German ties.

British Prime Minister Theresa May also congratulated on Macron's election victory, with an official spokesman saying, "France is one of our closest allies, and we look forward to working with the new president on a wide range of shared priorities."

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon hailed via social media Macron's "decisive victory over the hard right."