BERLIN -- Germany heaved a sigh of relief after liberal candidate Emmanuel Macron won France's presidential election comfortably on Sunday, but the two staunch allies face tough challenges over Europe's future. Chancellor Angela Merkel had emphatically thrown her support behind Macron against his far-right, anti-EU challenger Marine Le Pen, aware that the very existence of the European Union was at stake in the vote. Minutes after Macron's win, her spokesman Steffen Seibert underlined the message, writing on Twitter: "Congratulations, @EmmanuelMacron. Your victory is a victory for a strong and united Europe and for French-German friendship." Macron shares Merkel's commitment to the bloc, which hasbeen deeply shaken by Britain's decision to quit.

Source: The China Post May 07, 2017 21:11 UTC