Emmanuel Macron’s victory on Sunday has prevented an unprecedented triumph for the far-right in France – but the president faces a difficult second term in a deeply divided country.
While success for Marine le Pen would have shattered European solidarity as war continues to rage in Ukraine, Mr Macron faces an uphill battle to win over a population that has become cynical and mistrustful of politicians.
The Standard looks at the main issues that Mr Macron will need to grapple with in the next five years.
Securing a parliamentary majority
Mr Macron’s first major task will be to secure a majority in France’s parliamentary elections on June 12 and 19.
His La République en Marche (LaREM) party will need to win 289 MPs in the 577-seat lower house in order to deliver meaningful reforms.
Failing to secure a majority would prove costly for Mr Macron, who would preside over a politically divided parliament likely to block many of his policy proposals or force him into a compromise.
Ms Le Pen has already indicated she will lead a strong opposition bloc in parliament, while left-wing rival Jean-Luc Melenchon has said he will run to become prime minister.
If he is successful, he would hope to force Mr Macron into an awkward “cohabitation” with him in charge of a left-wing majority.
Putin and European security
Fears had grown in Brussels in the past month that a victory for Ms Le Pen could have fatally undermined Europe’s united front against Vladimir Putin. The National Rally leader has previously told of her admiration for the Russian President.
Ms Le Pen’s links to Russia were frequently referenced by Mr Macron on the campaign trail, including a loan for her 2017 campaign through a Russian bank.
Mr Macron has sought to portray himself as Europe’s most high-profile negotiator with the Kremlin, making a number of visits to Moscow to speak with Mr Putin prior to the invasion. He has stressed that a diplomatic channel with Mr Putin must remain open.
A crucial Nato summit will be held in June, which will offer a chance for Mr Macron to portray himself as the EU’s most visible pro-Ukraine leader.
Domestic reforms
During his second term, Mr Macron will hope to push ahead with a number of important economic reforms – but will likely face opposition in parliament and on the streets.
His pledge to increase the official retirement age from 62 to 65 by 2031 has already proved deeply unpopular and was frequently targeted by Ms Le Pen during her campaign.
Mr Macron will also need to tackle the cost of living crisis. He has pledged to maintain price caps on gas and electricity - but at a serious cost to the taxpayer.
Re-engaging younger voters
The election drew the lowest turnout of any vote in France for 52 years, with some 34 per cent of voters abstaining or casting blank ballots.
Mr Macron has particularly struggled to energise younger voters, who have been drawn towards left-wing Jean-Luc Melenchon or not bothered to vote entirely.
In response, he is likely to prioritise environmental issues and has vowed to appoint a prime minister with strong climate credentials.
His first term was also littered with damaging PR gaffes that made him come across as arrogant or patronising. A snap opinion poll following his debate with Ms Le Pen on April 22 showed 50 per cent of the French thought he had come across as arrogant, compared with 16 per cent for his far-right rival.
