The results of the first round of the presidential election in France arouse great interest from the other European countries Let us review some reactions of the media and politicians.

For many, the victory of Emanuel Macron in the second round leaves no doubt. The German Chancellor’s spokesman even congratulated him. The mainstream press is also greeting his success. The same goes for Sweden, for whom a Macron government would be based on democratic values, a strong EU, free trade and an open and tolerant society.

In other countries, people are more cautious. In Denmark, even if the victory of Emmanuel Macron is desired, the conservative newspaper “Jyllands-Posten” has doubts about the capacity of the ex-banker to solve the challenges of France, in particular because it lacks allies. In Spain, the same satisfaction mixed with doubts is expressed.

Some isolated parties continue to support Marine le Pen such as the Northern League in Italy or the leader of the Swedish extreme right, Jimmi Åkesson. In Britain, according to Denis MacShane, a former Europhile and Francophile Labor Minister, the Brexit supporters wanted France to follow their lead by electing Marine Le Pen … Seen from Moscow, even if officially, the government remains neutral, a preference for Marine Le Pen can be felt as she  promised to lift sanctions against Russia and to recognize the annexation of the Crimea.

Outside Europe, and not surprisingly, Jerusalem is positioning itself against Marine Le Pen, who is considered as the “daughter of an anti-Semitic father surrounded by collaborators and former SS”. Astonishingly, the French elections have provoked little reaction in the United States.

But everywhere else, the defeat of the two great traditional parties raises questions.  In Italy, the hypothesis of the emergence of a new bipolarism is evoked as the divide between the left and the right is no longer the reference. In Finland, the defeat of traditional parties is attributed to a lack of renewal. If this election is so much talked about, it is because many consider that it is historic: the rise of two outsiders opposed by two fundamental values: openness to the world against nationalism.

European leaders mainly support Emmanuel Macron because they see him as the ideal candidate to pursue the reforms of the European Union. Thus, the second round of the French presidential elections would almost become a referendum on the European Union!