Greens/EFA group reacts to French election

In response to the preliminary results of the first round of the presidential elections in France, the co-presidents of the Greens / EFA Group in the European Parliament, Ska Keller and Philippe Lamberts said:

"This campaign has been strongly influenced by the debate around Europe. But while some candidates wished to put the future of the European Union in jeopardy, France's future is clearly in the Union. That is why we will now support Emmanuel Macron in the second round.

"In spite of the weaknesses in his platform, especially on social issues and the environment, it is time for everyone to join forces against the right-wing populist nationalism of Marine Le Pen. The aim of the European Union must be to create a shared prosperity for all its people. We will call on Emmanuel Macron to strengthen his programme, especially with regard to social justice and the ecological transformation of Europe. We need France to be a leader in these areas.

"Although Le Pen is in the second round, she has - just like Geert Wilders in the Netherlands before her - fallen short of her goal of becoming the strongest force in her country. That the flow of support towards the far right populists has stagnated is a hopeful sign for European democracy. But the threat from the far-right is not over. If Macron is to take it on and defeat it, he needs to get real on social justice and do more for those who feel marginalised."