Macron elected president of France

Emmanuel Macron has been elected president of France, becoming the youngest leader of the country since Napoleon.

Macron, 39, defeated the far-right candidate Marine Le Pen in the second round of voting on 7 May, winning around 66 per cent of the vote.

A political newcomer

Macron, a former investment banker and economy minister in the Socialist government of Francois Hollande, has never before stood for election. He founded his own movement, En Marche!, just over a year ago, and presented himself as neither of the left nor the right.

His victory marks the first time in modern French history that neither of the two main parties, the Socialists and the Republicans, has had a candidate in the final round.

Le Pen defeated

Le Pen, leader of the National Front, campaigned on promises to cut immigration and hold a referendum on leaving the European Union. She won more votes than her party has ever received, but was clearly beaten.

She conceded defeat and said she would transform her party into a new political force.

A pro-European

Macron is strongly in favour of the European Union. His victory has been welcomed by European leaders, who had feared that a win for Le Pen could threaten the future of the EU after Britain's vote to leave.

He has said he will take a firm line in the Brexit negotiations, which are due to begin next month.

Celebrations

Macron celebrated his victory in front of the Louvre museum in Paris, walking out to the European anthem, Ode to Joy. He said he would work to heal the divisions in French society.

Challenges

Macron faces the task of winning a majority in parliamentary elections next month. He has promised to reform France's labour laws, cut unemployment and boost the economy.

France has faced a series of terrorist attacks in recent years, and security was tight across the country on election day.

Britain

The Prime Minister, Theresa May, congratulated Macron and said France was one of Britain's closest allies. The two leaders will face each other across the table in the Brexit talks.

Macron will take office next week, succeeding Hollande, who decided not to seek a second term.