Macron receives congratulations from European leaders: Great news for all of Europe

European Union leaders congratulated French President Emmanuel Macron on his election victory over his far-right rival, reflecting relief at avoiding a political shock in one of the bloc's most important countries.

The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, as well as the Prime Ministers of Belgium and Luxembourg, were among the first to congratulate Macron, followed by almost all of the 27 leaders of the bloc, after his victory.

"Well done Emmanuel," Michel tweeted.

"In this turbulent period, we need a strong Europe and a France fully committed to a more sovereign and strategic European Union."

After Britain's surprise vote to leave the EU and the election of Donald Trump in the United States in 2016, the bloc was jittery about Le Pen's potentially explosive social and economic reforms, even as polls showed Macron winning a runoff.

France, a founding member of the EU, has been at the center of European integration efforts since the end of World War II, even if such policies have been divisive.

Analysts and diplomats say Le Pen, a deeply Eurosceptic politician who has expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin, at the Elysee Palace would have huge implications for EU stability.

Le Pen has long flirted with the idea of ​​leaving the bloc, although she has insisted she has no "secret agenda" this time to leave the EU or the euro single currency.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, a French citizen, offered words of support for Macron, saying "strong leadership is essential in these uncertain times."

The leaders of Sweden, Romania, Lithuania, Finland, the Netherlands and Greece, as well as the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, all reacted within half an hour of the results with their congratulations.

"I look forward to continuing our extensive and constructive cooperation within the framework of the EU and NATO and further strengthening the excellent relations between our countries," said Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

Echoing the sentiment of many, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner said Europe was the biggest winner.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who along with Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are considered to form a power trio of pro-EU leaders, also said the re-election was "wonderful news for all of Europe".

Scholz offered to continue Franco-German cooperation, which is considered the engine of European integration.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez tweeted his congratulations to Macron. On Thursday, Sanchez wrote a joint article in the French daily Mond with the Portuguese Antonio Costa and Scholz criticizing Le Pen and urging people to vote for Macron.

"The chance to have pro-European governments in France and Germany for at least the next four years must be seized," said Anton Hofreiter, chairman of the European Committee in the German Bundestag.