Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has today said that the victory of Emmanuel Macron in the first round of French presidential election shows that liberalism across Europe is fighting back against the politics of hate and division.

Emmanuel Macron who was an outsider at the beginning of the election won the first round with 23.8% of the vote and will go into the next round against far-right leader Marine Le Pen.

Commenting Mr Rennie said:

“Macron’s victory in the first round of the Presidential election is a victory for patriotism over nationalism; a victory for an open and tolerant vision over hate and division.

“Across the world a new political landscape is emerging, away from the old divisions of left and right. The new divide is between those who are outward looking, internationalist and confident of their place as part of a wider world, and those who are closed, inward looking and pessimistic.

“The Liberal Democrats are now the only party fighting for a Britain that is open, tolerant and united and this election is chance for voters to change the direction of our country.”