Emmanuel Macron has taken part in VE Day commemorations in Paris, hours after being voted France's youngest-ever president.

Appearing alongside outgoing leader Francois Hollande in front of the Arc De Triomphe, the 39-year-old laid a wreath and spoke to veterans at a ceremony marking the end of World War II in Europe.

Mr Macron, who will be inaugurated on Sunday, polled 66% of the vote as he overwhelmingly defeated far-right candidate Marine Le Pen in the race for the Elysee Palace.

Despite this, the president-elect acknowledged he faces an "immense task" ahead as he seeks to unite a fractured nation.

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Addressing the nation after his victory, he said: "I know the divisions in our nation, which have led some to vote for the extremes. I respect them.


"I know the anger, the anxiety, the doubts that very many of you have also expressed. It's my responsibility to hear them."

Front National's Marine Le Pen, who conceded defeat after polls closed, said she would look to lead "a profound reformation of our movement to constitute a new political force".

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Mr Macron's victory marked a stunning rise for the pro-EU centrist politician, who just a year ago resigned as economy minister to set up his own party En Marche!.

The election itself also saw a remarkable shift in French politics, with the traditional centre-right and centre-left parties falling at the first round for the first time since the founding of the Fifth Republic by Charles de Gaulle in 1958.

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The result was welcomed by EU leaders, who hope Mr Macron's presidency will help revive the fortunes of the bloc after the Brexit vote.

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Meanwhile, Russian president Vladimir Putin called on the president-elect to "overcome mutual distrust" and work with him to "ensure international stability and security".

Mr Putin, who hosted Marine Le Pen during the election campaign, said he was ready for "constructive joint work on current bilateral, regional and global issues".

Earlier, Theresa May called to congratulate the president-elect and discuss Britain's exit from the EU.

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A Downing Street spokesperson said the Prime Minister "reiterated that the UK wants a strong partnership with a secure and prosperous EU once we leave".

In February, Mr Macron used a visit to No 10 to appeal to "bankers, talents, researchers, academics" to move across the Channel after Brexit.

Asked about the impact of Mr Macron's victory on Brexit, the Prime Minister said: "He has been elected with a very strong mandate, we must make sure that in the UK we also have a strong mandate to take a strong position into the negotiating table."

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One of the president-elect's immediate priorities is crucial parliamentary elections next month, in which he will look to secure a working majority.

The centrist has said at least half of En Marche!'s candidates will be new to politics, while Front National has indicated it will change its name in its campaign to become "the leading opposition against the new president's plans".