TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Tokyo’s benchmark stock index rose 1.35 percent at the start Monday after pro-European centrist Emmanuel Macron swept his far-right rival Marine Le Pen in the French presidential election.
The Nikkei 225 added 263.31 points to sit at 19,709.01, while the broader Topix index of all first-section shares climbed 1.22 percent, or 18.85 points, to 1,569.15.
Markets breathed a sigh of relief as the vote result effectively eliminates any risk of France leaving the eurozone — a departure advocated by the eurosceptic Le Pen.
Initial estimates showed Macron, a 39-year-old former investment banker, winning between 65 percent and 66.1 percent of the ballots — higher than expected — and Le Pen scoring between 33.9 percent and 35 percent.
Unknown three years ago, Macron is now poised to become one of Europe’s most powerful leaders, bringing with him a hugely ambitious agenda of political and economic reform for France and the European Union.
But many observers are sceptical about Macron’s ability to win a parliamentary majority, meaning he might have to form a coalition of lawmakers committed to his agenda.
The philosophy and literature lover is inexperienced, has no political party and must try to fashion a working parliamentary majority after legislative elections next month.
His economic agenda, particularly plans to weaken labor regulations to fight stubbornly high unemployment, are likely to face fierce resistance from trade unions and his leftist opponents.
He also inherits a country which is still under a state of emergency following a string of Islamist-inspired attacks since 2015 that have killed more than 230 people.
Le Pen, 48, had portrayed the ballot as a contest between Macron and the “globalists” — in favor of open trade, immigration and shared sovereignty — and her “patriotic” vision of strong borders and national identities.
© Agence France-Presse
