07.05.2017 | 21:30

European leaders congratulate Macron

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman congratulated Emmanuel Macron on his election on Sunday to the French presidency, saying his win was a victory for a united Europe.

"Congratulations Emmanuel Macron. Your victory is a victory for a strong united Europe and for the Franco-German friendship," Merkel's spokesman, Steffen Seibert, said in tweets in German and French.

British Prime Minister Theresa May also congratulated Macron on his success in the election, an emailed statement from May's office said.

"The Prime Minister warmly congratulates President-elect Macron on his election success. France is one of our closest allies, and we look forward to working with the new president on a wide range of shared priorities," the statement said. Supporters of Emmanuel Macron celebrate after the second round of 2017 French presidential election, in Lyon, France, May 7, 2017. ROBERT PRATTA/REUTERS

Dutch right-wing populist Geert Wilders has congratulated Marine Le Pen of the National Front despite her defeat in the French presidential elections.

"Well done anyway ... millions of patriots voted for you! You will win next time - and so will I!" Wilders wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni tweeted: "Hurrah Macron President! There is hope for Europe!"

Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, congratulated Macron, saying he was very pleased that the president-elect defended a strong and progressive Europe.

"I am delighted that the ideas you defended of a strong and progressive Europe, which protects all its citizens, will be those that you will carry into your presidency in the debate about the history of Europe," Juncker said in a letter.

He said the Commission, which is the European Union's executive arm, was also seeking to build a better Europe and expected to work together with Paris on that.

"The European Commision has been working for two and half years to build a better Europe, a Europe which protects and defends our citizens and gives them the means to react," Juncker said in the latter of congratulations to Macron.

"You know my determination to follow this agenda until the end of my term. I have full confidence that our collaboration will be very fruitful and will allow us to further our common goals together," he said. (Reuters, DPA)