The Party of European Socialists expressed deep concern at the high vote share achieved by Marine Le Pen in the first round of the French presidential elections, and calls on French voters to mobilise against Marine Le Pen's dangerous and divisive vision.

The Party has also pledged support for Emmanuel Macron in the second round on 7 May.

PES president Sergei Stanishev said:

"The results of Parti Socialiste candidate Benoît Hamon sadly do not reflect the inclusive campaign he fought, nor the fair, sustainable and forward-looking programme he put forward. He also had a consistent and strong line against the far right.

"The PS programme remains a solid framework for the general elections in June, in which the PS can count on the full support of PES.

"But I am reassured to see that, as in other elections, the votes of young people – who are the future of Europe – were overwhelmingly pro-European.

"In the second round, I trust that voters from across the political spectrum will come together to vote against the far right. A vote against Le Pen is a vote for France and for Europe."

For more information, please contact Toby Wardman toby.wardman@pes.eu, +32 491 86 97 48