From the very first days of En Marche, Emmanuel Macron has created the sense that everyone has a stake in his rise, and that the levers of power will be collectively and democratically pulled. The creed of his new movement has been “we” - politicians and people together, a French echo of Obama’s successful 2008 motto, “yes we can”.

Half of his cabinet are women, and half of his movement’s National Assembly candidates were women, leading to a record number winning seats. He also ensured that half of his candidates came from outside the political system. But not everyone agrees that a Macron presidency will bring a fresh wind blowing through the Elysee Palace. Political biographer Marc Endeweld says that, despite the mood of what might be described as horizontal democracy, Emmanuel Macron has always been the one with real power: “You have to realise that in the end, En Marche is something very vertical; there isn’t really a campaign manager, Emmanuel Macron has compartmentalised his relations a lot. And he has a conception of power that is extremely personal.” In an interview with a weekly news magazine in July 2015, Macron talked about an “incompleteness” at the heart of French politics. “That absence is the figure of the king,” he said, “which I don’t think the French people fundamentally wanted to die. The Terror [during the French Revolution] dug an emotional, imaginary and collective void - the king isn’t there anymore! We’ve tried to fill that void, to put other people in it… And all we want from the president is for him to occupy that function.”

Execution of King Louis XVI, 21 January 1793

Macron has become much more brutal, much more cynical, much more professional, suggests Alain Minc.

And when people say he's too young, he'll be a soft president – pah! He'll be very authoritarian, very political, very presidential, very cynical - fortunately. I don't worry at all about that.” Alain Minc

Anne Fulda believes this single-mindedness could help him be a good president. “It’s not difficult for him to burn his bridges with people who helped him. He’s used the system very well to his effect, but he wouldn’t have a problem tearing it up.”

Protesters march against Macron's economic policies, 2015

Macron’s proposed reforms sparked big demonstrations during his time as economy minister. And he has said he’s determined to stand firm against further disruptions should he win power. After an election as polarised as this one, implementing his proposals may not be easy.

Protesters march against Macron's economic policies, 2014