French Presidency

Macron has won 65.51% of the vote with 98.12% of polling stations declared, France's interior ministry said Sunday evening.

In a clear rejection of France's mainstream parties, voters have turned to the 39-year-old to help bring unity to a deeply fractured country.

The result is remarkable considering Macron, a centrist independent, campaigned without a traditional party and with no experience of governing.

"I know the country is divided and this has led to people voting for extremes," Macron said in a speech at his team's headquarters.

Mr Macron defeated far-right candidate Marine Le Pen by about 65 percent to 35 percent to become, at 39, the country's youngest president, the results showed.

He will also become the first president from outside the two traditional main parties since the modern republic's foundation in 1958.

He said a "new chapter of hope and confidence is opening".

Turnout is sharply down on the last election with just 65 percent voting, while 72 percent voted in the last election in 2012, and there are predictions the election could have the highest abstention rate in 50 years.