2nd LD: Projections show Macron elected French President

Centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron won Sunday's runoff vote of the French presidential election, defeating his far-right rival Marine Le Pen, according to polling agency projections issued after the vote.

An estimation by research firm Elabe for BFMTV show that Macron won the presidential race with 65.9 percent of votes, while Le Pen scored 34.1 percent.

Other estimations also indicate that Macron garnered between 65 to 66.1 percent of votes, and Le Pen between 33.9 to 35 percent.

Early projections also show that the abstention rate in the runoff vote reached over 25 percent, the highest since 1969.

A cheering crowd of Macron's supporters gathered in front of the Louvre Museum in central Paris, waiting for a speech from the newly-elected president and a series of celebrate programs.

Le Pen delivered a speech to her supporters shortly after the release of the projections, conceding her defeat in the election and saying that "France has chosen continuity."

She congratulated Macron for winning the election, and wished him success in facing "immense coming challenges."

Regarding the legislative election in June, Le Pen pledged to "constitute a new political force," and called on "all patriots" to join her.

Outgoing French president Francois Hollande called Macron to congratulate his win, saying it marked French citizens' commitment to the European Union, and France's opening to the world.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Sunday congratulated on Macron's election victory, saying he was happy that "the French have chosen European future."

European Council President Donald Tusk also congratulated Macron, saying the French have chosen "liberty, equality, and fraternity."

German chancellor's chief of staff Peter Altmaier said over Twitter Macron's success has sent a strong signal for "common values" and Franco-German ties. Endit