7 May 2017
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin TD has congratulated Emmanuel Macron on his election as President of the French Republic today, and said he is looking forward to working with him in the future on issues of mutual concern to both Ireland and France.
“President-Elect Macron’s victory is not only a victory for him, and his movement, but also a victory for the values that Ireland and France share: openness, tolerance and reason.
“His message of inclusion, diversity and respect, allied to his progressive radical economic platform saw him secure victory in an election that caught the imagination of people right across Europe.
“For too long, the politics of fear and division has been seen to be gaining ground on the continent. Those of us who favour a society that is open-minded, progressive and global in its outlook will look at today’s result with optimism.
“The European Union faces many challenges in the years ahead. I am heartened that in this election, and in recent elections in the Netherlands and Austria, the progressive centre has held.
“Of course, there are issues on which President-Elect Macron and I will disagree, but on the broad issues of Europe’s role in the world, defending the civil rights of our citizens, and building an economy that delivers prosperity for all, we are on the same page,” concluded Martin.
