Macron, Le Pen Set To Square Off In Second Round

Marine Le Pen addresses her supporters after she advances in the French election: "It is a historic moment" https://t.co/4iegeeaxNP

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) April 23, 2017

Voilà. pic.twitter.com/KSd8XHgGtY

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 20, 2017

BREAKING: Centrist Macron, far-right leader Le Pen advance to French presidential runoff after major opponents concede defeat.

— The Associated Press (@AP) April 23, 2017

• MACRON, LE PEN LEAD FRENCH 1ST-ROUND VOTE: IPSOS INITIAL COUNT
• MACRON, LE PEN LEAD FRENCH 1ST-ROUND VOTE: IFOP INITIAL COUNT
• MACRON, LE PEN LEAD FRENCH 1ST-ROUND VOTE: ELABE INITIAL COUNT
• LE PEN GETS 24.2% IN FRENCH INTERIOR MINISTRY PRELIMINARY COUNT
• MACRON GETS 21.4% IN FRENCH INTERIOR MINISTRY PRELIMINARY COUNT
• FILLON ENDORSES INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE EMMANUEL MACRON
• MACRON TO WIN FIRST ROUND IN FRANCE WITH 23.7%, IPSOS SAYS

Via Bloomberg

Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen lead in the early counting of ballots for the first round of France’s presidential election, suggesting they are on track to face each other in the two-person runoff.

• Macron, a 39-year-old independent, has 23.8 percent of the vote, while the National Front’s Le Pen, 48, has 21.6 percent, according to initial estimates by pollster Ifop. Republican Francois Fillon has 20.3 and Communist-backed Jean-Luc Melenchon has 19.6 percent
• The figures are based on the initial count of actual votes. Two other pollsters gave similar estimates

Reader commentary

• Mr Melenchon disappointed in the end – his score ends up higher than in 2012 (last election) – 19% against 11%
• But these votes essentially expressed disappointment in the Socialist Party and its ‘official’ representative – Mr Hamon
• However big the discontent, there was no room for Mr Melenchon to grow into a credible challenge of Mr Macron
• But the combined 26% of Mr Melenchon and Mr Hamon are testimonial to the rejection of ‘traditional politics’
• Ms Le Pen, less than 22% for the National Front, confirms the strength of her party, in line with expectations but also, as expected, the latest terrorist assault in Paris, last Friday, does not appear to have had much influence – a reassuring sign of responsible voter attitudes.
• Mr Fillon with 19% could rely on the moat of traditional voters – clearly, it was not enough…
• Mr Macron has his work cut out – to govern, the new President will need a majority in Parliament (elections in June) and also the full support of the Socialist Party (Mr Hamon has already committed)

Socialist candidate Hamon backs Macron at rally, says there's difference between a "political adversary and an enemy of the Republic."

— Matt Ford (@fordm) April 23, 2017

#Fillon: When extremism is at the gates of power I will vote in favor of Emmanuel Macron #Frenchelections #Presidentielle2017 #stratforchat

— Reva Goujon (@RevaGoujon) April 23, 2017

BREAKING: French prime minister calls on voters to reject far-right leader Marine Le Pen in runoff and vote for Emmanuel Macron.

— The Associated Press (@AP) April 23, 2017

Exit poll on state TV: Macron, Le Pen heading for second round #France #France2017 pic.twitter.com/Tx2UZY9Tur

— Derek Gatopoulos (@dgatopoulos) April 23, 2017

France, Harris exit poll:

Macron (EM-*): 23.7%
Le Pen (FN-ENF): 22%
Melenchon (FI-LEFT): 19.5%
Fillon (LR-EPP): 19.5%#Avote #RadioLondres pic.twitter.com/VS3tH59eBE

— Europe Elects (@EuropeElects) April 23, 2017

As a reminder for markets:

Deutsche Bank’s Sebastien Galy is out saying the euro is likely to get a boost of 1-2% based on projections from early counting of ballots. “This is the perfect scenario the market was desperately looking for,” New York-based Galy said in emailed comments to Bloomberg.

Oh, and I almost forgot…

https://twitter.com/moorehn/status/856208567204032513

ok France, now it's time to play a new game called "do you really want a Nazi?"

— Heisenberg Report (@heisenbergrpt) April 23, 2017

Who will Trump support in runoff: racist, anti-immigrant, anti-Semitic, illiberal,anti EU/NATO Le Pen or defender of Western values Macron? https://t.co/aSDaA8wpby

— Antony Blinken (@ABlinken) April 23, 2017