To Europe’s relief, France’s Macron wins but far-right gains

By JOHN LEICESTER
Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has comfortably won reelection to a second term. His victory Sunday triggered waves of relief among allies that France won’t abruptly shift course in the midst of a war in Ukraine from European and NATO efforts to punish and contain Russia. Macron’s far-right rival, Marine Le Pen, has conceded defeat but she raised her game in this runoff, with her best-ever showing. The French presidential race has been overshadowed by the war in Ukraine and a surge in French support for extremist ideas.  Macron is the first French leader in 20 years to win reelection. Macron still faces a battle to keep his parliamentary majority in France’s legislative election in June.