MARINE LE PEN secured the far-right’s highest ever share in the French presidential vote today despite losing to centrist rival Emmanuel Macron.

Mr Macron won by 58.55 per cent to 41.45 per cent, securing him five more years as the country’s president.

He is the first sitting French president in 20 years to be re-elected.

But the turnout, at just less than 72 per cent, was the lowest in a presidential run-off since 1969, with more than three million people casting spoilt or blank votes.

Ms Le Pen said that her significant vote share was a “resounding victory” for the National Rally party after receiving more than 13 million votes in Sunday’s ballot.

Her platform, which initially consisted of tax cuts, quickly turned the focus on a public ban on the Muslim headscarf and a referendum on immigration controls.

She has twice faced trial for hate speech following her remarks comparing Muslims praying in the streets to the Nazi occupation of France and for posting graphic images of Isis.

The election result led to far-right demonstrations erupt in Paris, Rennes, Toulouse and Nantes.

Police used tear gas to disperse crowds and videos of clashes were shared on social media.

In his winning speech, Mr Macon pledged to become a leader “for all people” and to “effectively address the rage and discord” of voters.

He admitted that some people voted for him only to prevent a political tilt to the right.

His victory was welcomed by European leaders who had raised concerns about Ms Le Pen’s policies of leaving the EU and withdrawing membership from Nato.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was the first to congratulate Mr Macron, singling out their mutual challenge in responding to the war in Ukraine.

US President Joe Biden said that he looked forward to “close co-operation” with Mr Macron, including in supporting Ukraine.

And Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated him as a “true friend” and said that he looked forward to a strong and united Europe.

Mr Macron still faces challenges to his leadership.

Parliamentary elections in France are scheduled for June and will decide who controls a majority of the 577 seats at the national assembly.

If another party gets a majority of seats, Mr Macron will be forced to appoint a government that would implement policies that diverge from his projects.

But he would still have sway over the country’s foreign policy.