Le Pen says election loss 'an earth-shattering victory'

President Emmanuel Macron’s challenger, the far-right Marine Le Pen promptly conceded defeat on Sunday, saying her loss was also a victory of sort.

Although Macron won by a comfortable margin, according to early projections by pollsters, Le Pen won over 40 percent of the votes, a remarkable feat compared to her outing five years ago.

Five years ago, Macron beat Le Pen 66.06% to 33.94%, in the second round of voting.

“Tonight’s result is in itself an earth-shattering victory (for us),” Le Pen told her dejected supporters at a sprawling reception hall on the outskirts of Paris.

She vowed to keep up the fight, with the June parliamentary elections in mind.

“I will never abandon the French,” she said to supporters chanting “Marine! Marine!”

“I fear that the five-year term that is about to begin will not break with the brutal methods of the previous one.

“In order to avoid the monopolisation of power by a few, more than ever I will pursue my commitment to France and the French people with the energy, perseverance and affection that you know me for”, she said.

Health Minister Olivier Veran and European Affairs Minister Clement Beaune underscored Le Pen’s performance.

“With a far-right at 40%, it shows we’re going to have to work,” said Beaune.

Veran also said: “We will not spoil the victory …but the (far-right) has its higher score ever.

“There will be continuity in government policy because the president has been re-elected.

“But we have also heard the French people’s message. There will be a change of method, the French people will be consulted”.

Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian spoke on the message of the election: “The French did not want a France that turns in on itself.”