Obama voices support for French presidential candidate Macron

Former U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday voiced his support for Emmanuel Macron, the 39-year-old centrist candidate in the running towards French presidency.

In a video posted on Facebook by Macron, Obama delivered the message facing the camera, saying that he's always grateful for "the friendship of the French people", and "the work we did together when I was the president of the United States".

"I'm not planning to get involved in many elections now that I don't have to run for office again but the French election is very important for the future of France and the values that we care so much about," Obama said in the video embedded with French subtitles. "Because the success of France matters to the entire world."

He said that Macron "has stood up for liberal values," adding that the candidate "appeals to people's hopes and not there fears."

Obama then ended the message with "En Marche (On the Move)", the name of Marcon's new party, and "Vive la France (Long live France)."

On his Facebook post Macron said "the hope is on the move", and thanked Obama for his support.

Obama's unprecedented endorsement came one day after Macron debated the other candidate, Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Front party on live television.

The video quickly sparked controversy on social media, with some opponents calling it interference in another country's presidential election.

Marcon and Le Pen came out on top in the first round of the election on April 23, and will face off in a runoff vote on May 7. Endit