Belgian Prime Minister congratulates Macron on electoral victory

Belgian Prime minister Alexander De Croo (Open vld, Flemish liberals) congratulated Emmanuel Macron on his election victory on Sunday evening. The French president defeated Marine Le Pen and thus remains in the saddle for another five years. "Let's work together for a strong and united Europe", De Croo wrote on Twitter.

By voting for Macron, the French have opted for "a strong France in a powerful Europe", but also "for democratic values, the values of the Enlightenment, with a deep belief in the progress of every human being in which everyone - regardless of background or origin - is given a fair chance", the Prime Minister's statement reads. De Croo says he looks forward to continuing to work with Macron in the European Council and in Renew Europe, a political group in the European Parliament.

The name Marine Le Pen does not appear in his statement, but De Croo does say that "all democratic forces" must "unite against extremists who set people against each other, erode our democratic rule of law and want to weaken Europe".

(KR)

Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and President of France Emmanuel Macron pictured before an informal meeting of the Heads of State or Government of the European Union on Thursday 10 March 2022 © BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND