Mr Hollande has privately complained that he was betrayed by Mr Macron, his onetime protégé, but he showed no signs of bitterness Monday. Mr Macron resigned as economy minister in August to clear the way for a run for president. "It is true that he followed me for many years, but afterward he freed himself," Mr Hollande said of Mr Macron on Monday. President Vladimir Putin of Russia joined a chorus of world leaders, including President Donald Trump, who have congratulated Macron. (Ms Le Pen's father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, won 17.9% in the 2002 runoff against President Jacques Chirac, who was easily re-elected.)

Source: Bangkok Post May 08, 2017 14:03 UTC