Yahoo News 'The French Trudeau': Social media goes mad for Macron
The world was watching France with bated breath on Sunday night, trying to guess whether Le Pen would win the election and seeing if she would get through to the second round.
Emmanuel Macron, who appears to be the front-runner, gained a lot of attention from people around the world, some of whom appear to be fans of the young centrist.
Many have made comparisons between him and Justin Trudeau - they are both young, handsome, passionate antidotes to the far-right.
This kid dancing like no one's watching holding a Emmanuel Macron poster is the first positive thing I've seen in politics in 2017. pic.twitter.com/Gvmeu6A97G
— Sam Parker (@samparkercouk) April 23, 2017
However, it isn't just fans of Mrs Le Pen who were sending out disgusted tweets about Mr Macron.
Some on the hard-left see him as an establishment figure, and stand with their preferred candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon in refusing to endorse the centrist. One person tweeted: "Investment banker v fascist".
Still, on the whole, it appears as if Mr Macron has more fans than enemies on social media.
Some think Mr Trudeau and Mr Macron are alike
But this isn't necessarily a good thing in everyone's eyes.
I wanna be PM just so I can negotiate with Macron and Trudeau
— Martin (@artschoolwank) April 24, 2017
Macron & Trudeau a lot in common: young, telegenic, establishment to their bones & say very little of substance very well
— Ed Staite (@edstaite) April 24, 2017
I'm optimistic that Macron is the French Trudeau. Worst case he's the French Blair. Either way he's better than the French Trump #VoteMacron
— Jean Vila (@Oxfordvila) April 24, 2017
Not sure why but i believe Macron is like the french Justin Trudeau.
— Putri W. (@putriwadew) April 24, 2017
Many are intrigued by the relationship between Mr Macron and his wife
Mrs Trogneux is 25 years his senior - and taught him drama when he was a teenager.
Many became intrigued by the two after their very public display of affection on stage.
She told Paris Match magazine last year: "At the age of 17, Emmanuel said to me, 'Whatever you do, I will marry you!',".
There are so many reasons to be happy about Macron but, if I'm totally honest, 1 of my top 5 is getting to read more about him and his wife
— Hadley Freeman (@HadleyFreeman) April 24, 2017
Apparently Emmanuel Macron's wife, Brigitte, is 24 years his senior. Good on him. There's still hope for Nigella and me.
— Caleb Bond (@TheCalebBond) April 24, 2017
Many brought up Mr Macron's youth
macron, 39: i am the frontrunner for president of france
me, 39: i put off doing laundry one more day— Oliver Willis (@owillis) April 24, 2017
France 2 currently showing pictures of young Macron - so here for it pic.twitter.com/TCaSnvQsiY
— Dr StrangeGloom (@gloomyeuropean) April 23, 2017
@JuliaHB1 Was interested to find out Macron is same age as my son then amazed to discover his wife is two years younger than me!
— Jeanne Lewis (@jeannegenius) April 24, 2017
And Macron is just 39 years old. I don't think we've ever had a presidential candidate with the same age... https://t.co/g2XKlPxqC7
— Farida Kabir-Hashidu (@reedahkh) April 24, 2017
But not everyone was so enthused by the centrist candidate
It's not certain he will scoop up every vote from fans of Mr Melenchon, who flatly refused to endorse either of the candidates going forward to the second round.
Melenchon refusing to endorse Macron. Le Pen hopes to pick up some of his votes with left-wing anti-EU economic policies similar to Melo's
— Andrew Neil (@afneil) April 24, 2017
I don't see why Mélenchon HAS to endorse Macron? His voters have their own mind/will
— Charlie (@cwjs0) April 23, 2017
Melenchon will not endorse neither the Crony Capitalism Establishment (Macron) neither the Nationalist International (Le Pen). He is right!
— George Bourchas (@GeorgeBourchas) April 23, 2017
The next round is certainly going to be very interesting
Le Pen v Macron wld represent THE battle of our age: liberal, global, open world view v nationalist, protectionist, closed.
— Matt Frei (@mattfrei) April 23, 2017
