French President Emmanuel Macron defeated his neo-fascist challenger Marine Le Pen today by a substantial margin, according to the latest returns, winning a second term and preventing what threatened to be a catastrophe for France, Europe, and global democracy. Sunday saw the lowest turnout for a French presidential election in many years as some voters on the left, many of whom dislike the centrist Macron, stayed home in protest.

Official results indicate that Macron secured 58 percent to 42 percent for LePen -- not nearly as close as some pollsters and analysts had suggested. LePen delivered a concession speech saying she looks forward to legislative elections in May.