Barack Obama endorses France presidential candidate Macron

Former US President Barack Obama has formally endorsed centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron for France's presidential election in a video message in which he praised Macron for appealing "to people's hopes and not their fears".


In the taped message with French subtitles distributed by Macron's campaign En Marche! website on Thursday, Obama said;

“I have admired the campaign that Emmanuel Macron has run.” “He has stood up for liberal values. He put forward a vision for the important role that France plays in Europe and around the world, and he is committed to a better future for the French people."

"The French election is very important to the future of France and the values that we care so much about."

Macron "has stood up for liberal values ... He is committed to a better future for the French people. He appeals to people's hopes and not their fears,"Obama said.

"I am supporting Emmanuel Macron to lead you forward," Obama said.

he concludedhis statement with the French title of Macron's party "En Marche!" (Onwards!) and "Vive la France!".

France presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron

Macron, 39 is widely seen as the favourite to beat the National Front's Marine Le Pen in Sunday's runoff vote.