Greek politicians welcome Macron’s win

Greece’s political class has welcomed Emmanuel Macron’s win in France’s presidential elections on Sunday over Marine Le Pen, with the Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras tweeting that “the victory of Emmanuel Macron offers a breather for France and the whole of Europe. I'm certain we will work closely to change Europe’s course and inspire its peoples again, so that we cannot relive the nightmare of the extreme-right.”

New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis described Macron’s win as the ushering of a new era of realism for France adding that ‘’It is a victory that reflects on all the European forces fighting for freedom, solidarity and reforms that improve the lives of the people. It is a defeat of the forces of demagogy, populism and nationalist isolationism.”

Twitter diplomacy followed with PASOK leader Fofi Gennimata hoping the win for the Pro-European centrist Macron will signal better days in Europe and a respite to every progressive European.

“The victory of Emmanuel Macron offers a respite to every progressive European. It is a victory of democracy and hope for better days,” tweeted Gennimata.

Democratic Left leader Thanasis Theoharopoulos said Macron's win offers relief to Europe but there shouldn’t be complacency. “Relief without complacency. Relief for all pro-Europeans, democrats and progressive citizens. But complacency is not allowed. The direct threat of the extreme right has been prevented, but nationalism has not yet been defeated at its root,” he said in a statement.

He said Macron’s great win is a victory for democracy and Europe, as the centrist pro-European candidate with a social democratic past expressed the demand for change. “Our hope is to move ahead with a progressive and reformist policy, with a change of policies within the EU, in favour of growth and not dogmatic austerity. With progressive reforms, social justice and commitment to European integration,” he added.

Potami said Macron's win is a victory for the citizens who defend an open democracy and open societies. “The victory of Macron, a young, bold and progressive European who places himself beyond the Right and Left, is a victory of the citizens who defend open democracy and open societies. Emmanuel defended rights and opportunities for all, growth and meritocracy, limits to special interests, unions and party politics, transparency, fairness and free media,” the party said.

“This is why we did not hesitate to stand on his side from the beginning, which is something that forces and politicians who declare themselves as progressives didn’t do, as they cling to old [political] groupings,” it added.