Supporters of French independent centrist presidential candidate, Emmanuel Macron hold up his photo outside his campaign headquarters in Paris. Photo / AP

Catherine Field: Emmanuel Macron, France's 'accidental President'

Author: Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date: Mon, 8 May 2017, 7:50AM

Emmanuel Macron has swept to power to become France's youngest President.

Exit polls show the 39-year-old has charged to victory with more than 65 percent of the vote.

Far right opponent Marine Le Pen drew about 35 percent.

But France correspondent Catherine Field said other numbers are more telling.

She told Mike Hosking it's the lowest turnout since 1969, with abstentions hitting about 25 percent.

"So I think we can read into that, that in some ways Emmanuel Macron is an accidental President because a lot of people just did not feel they had anything invested in either of the two candidates."

Field said Marine Le Pen's party will have the knives out for her tonight.

LISTEN ABOVE AS CATHERINE FIELD SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING