Trump plans to meet incoming French president Macron in Brussels this month

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Commentators were already focused on Macron's next battle as part of his planned "revolution" of French politics: parliamentary elections on June 11 and 18.

British Prime Minister Theresa May also congratulated on Macron's election victory, with an official spokesman saying, "France is one of our closest allies, and we look forward to working with the new president on a wide range of shared priorities".

Addressing his supporters in the grand courtyard of the Louvre, Macron said he would defend France and Europe.

In his first speech delivered after the win, Macron expressed "profound gratitude" to his voters, pledging to "calm the fears" and "bring all the French together".

"Macron, Hollande's former economy minister, started his own independent movement "En Marche" (On The Move") in April past year but has no party structure behind him. Macron joined President Francois Hollande in a commemoration of the formal German defeat in World War II. There's every chance that Macron will end up having to govern in a so-called "cohabitation" with representatives from parties beyond his nascent political movement, En Marche, which is being renamed as La Republique En Marche (Republic on the Move).

On Monday, though, Hollande gripped Macron's arm before the two men walked side by side. The niece of defeated far-right French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen announced Tuesday, May 9 that she's leaving political life, at least temporarily, citing "personal and political reasons". Announcing the changes, the movement's secretary general, Richard Ferrand, said the organization will be "a new political force" on the landscape redrawn by Macron's victory.

After her decisive loss, the National Front also geared up for a name change - if not a makeover of its ideas.

Victory meant more to the GOP than the health of millions — LUPICA
Such a scenario would then force the House and Senate to work together to forge a compromise bill that both houses can support. Collins cited concerns about potential higher costs to older Americans and those with pre-existing medical conditions.

Her withdrawal is a major blow for the National Front.

Sylvie Goulard, a French deputy to the European Parliament, said Macron would make Berlin his first official visit, with perhaps a stop to see French troops stationed overseas as well. "And so we have an vast responsibility vis-a-vis the French people, who trust us", Nicolas Bay, the party's secretary-general, said yesterday.

An image of the En Marche! leader at the 62-year-old's feet - said to have been photoshopped - was circulated widely on Twitter, with many users making facetious remarks about the closeness in age between Merkel and Macron's wife Brigitte, 64.

He said he knew the divisions of the country, adding that he had the responsibility to hear all the French.

Relations between May and European Union leaders have become increasingly rancorous in the run-up to Britain's general election next month, with the prime minister accusing Brussels of making "threats" against the country over the highly complex divorce proceedings.

European stock markets edged down in early trading yesterday as investors were expecting Macron to win.

France's CAC 40 index, which last week touched its highest level since early 2008, slipped 1 percent. The euro, at a six-month high against the dollar on Sunday, edged back down 0.5 percent.

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