Tokyo's benchmark stock index rose
1.35 per cent at the start today 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 per cent, 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 per cent and 66.1 per
cent of the ballots -- higher than expected -- and Le Pen
scoring between 33.9 per cent and 35 per cent.
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 labour
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 favour of open trade,
immigration and shared sovereignty -- and her "patriotic"
vision of strong borders and national identities.
(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
