Macron must now build machinery for effective governance

EUROPE, and indeed much of the world, is heaving a collective sigh of relief at the solid victory of Emmanuel Macron in France's presidential election on Sunday.

The relief comes as much from the positive qualities that he has projected - his centrist platform, his willingness to strengthen France's links with the European Union (EU) and his inclusive social policies - as from the fact that his opponent, Marine Le Pen of the anti-EU, narrowly nationalistic and inward-looking National Front, has been resoundingly rejected.

There will be relief too, at the size of the victory margin - 66 per cent for him to 34 per cent for her - although it is also probably true, as many voter surveys have suggested, that a significant proportion of people voted, holding their noses, against her rather than for him.