ANALYSIS: Macron, A Stable, But Imperfect, French Election Winner For Defence

Governments across Europe will be breathing a sigh of relief at the result of the French presidential election.

Emmanuel Macron didn't just beat Marine Le Pen - he did it convincingly. The centrist got twice as many votes as his far-right rival.

Ms Le Pen represented a threat to the established order, perhaps to the continued existence of the European Union, while Mr Macron is a European cheerleader.

For that reason, feelings about Emmanuel Macron's victory are more complicated within the UK.

But when it comes to defence there is no doubt this is the result that Whitehall wanted from this final run-off.

Theresa May was on the phone quickly to offer her "warm congratulations", and say how she is looking forward to meeting Mr Macron at a NATO summit later this month.

With a bilateral defence treaty, Britain has a big stake in what happens in France, and a Macron victory looks to mean stability in that defence relationship.

Marine Le Pen, with her anti-globalist sentiments and seeming sympathies for Russia and Syria, would at the very least have introduced significant tensions into the defence relationship.

The biggest sighs of relief may be at NATO headquarters because Marine Le Pen views the alliance as a pointless relic of the Cold War, and had said she would withdraw France from NATO's integrated strategic command.

She had, though, pledged higher defence spending than Mr Macron, who has only set the unambitious target of meeting NATO's 2% of GDP guideline by 2025 - like all other members.

While his victory may be welcome, Emmanuel Macron is not the perfect candidate as far as the UK and NATO are concerned. 

He is an advocate of greater EU defence integration, something Britain and some in Brussels fear could weaken NATO in the long term.

And his views on Brexit, which he has described as a 'crime', have led many commentators to suggest France will play hardball in the exit negotiations.

As French President, he will, of course, hold immense sway but he will not set the rules alone and he has bigger challenges to focus on at home. 

Emmanuel Macron knows he has to deliver to the people of France because Marine Le Pen will not give up. She'll be breathing down his neck for the next five years, until the next election.

Cover Image: Copyleft