Joy in Brussels, but Macron faces tough European Union challenges

The centrist's emphatic victory, which also smashed the dominance of France's mainstream parties, brings huge relief to European allies who had feared another populist upheaval to follow Britain's vote to quit the EU and Donald Trump's election as US president.

"France will be on the front line of the fight against terrorism on its soil and in worldwide action", he said last night.

In Britain, Prime Minister Theresa May said Macron's win makes it even more important for British voters to back her Conservatives in the early election she called for June 8, to strengthen Britain's hand in its divorce proceedings with the EU. Police sprayed tear gas and detained dozens of protesters holding running demonstrations through eastern Paris after the election results came out. Macron also resigned as its president, as he takes on his new role as president of the republic.

Macron - who at 39 will become France's youngest president - dashed Le Pen's nationalist hopes with his pro-European stance and moderate policies. In a tweet Sunday, Trump says he's looking forward to working with Macron, but did not immediately extend an invitation for him to visit the White House.

In interviews Monday, her campaign director, David Rachline, said the party founded by her father would get a new name as bait to pull in a broader spectrum of supporters in France.

Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, told Macron: "I am delighted that the ideas you defended of a strong and progressive Europe, which protects all its citizens, will be those that you will carry into your presidency".

She added, with his numerous priorities in Education, employment, social dialogue, youth climate change and the environment, the future of Europe and the relationship of France with Africa is on course unlike Marine Le Pen his rival who was not only a risk but a serious warning.

Her supporters at a National Front election night gathering in Paris put on a fearless face.

Le Pen said she won 11 million votes, which would be her party's highest-ever electoral score.

The gap between 10-year yields on French and German government bonds last stood at around 37 basis points, off opening lows around 33 bps. One of his most unsafe opponents, conservative former Prime Minister Francois Fillon, was vilified after allegations that his family benefited from cushy taxpayer-funded jobs for years.

The incoming president will appear Monday alongside current President Francois Hollande in commemoration of the end of World War II. But like Hollande, he will need to establish himself at home before becoming an effective champion of a closely knit Europe.

Macron's presidency is unprecedented - belonging to neither of France's two traditional parties, the Republicans or Socialists, Macron set up his own movement En Marche! just one year ago.

France has been in a state of emergency since then and 50,000 security forces were out to safeguarded Sunday's vote.