Emmanuel Macron just became the youngest president of France

pulse

May 14, 2017 11:25 AM

Macron said he would restore France's confidence.

French President Emmanuel Macron (L) escorts former President Francois Hollande who leaves after the handover ceremony at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, May 14, 2017

Emmanuel Macron is the newest president of France after his inauguration at the Elysee Palace in Paris this morning.

The 39-year-old former banker has taken over from his predecessor, Francois Hollande, after the official handover at the palace.

Sunday morning, Macron arrived at the palace in a Renault Espace, and Hollande greeted him at the steps shortly before the ceremony kicked off.

Macron's wife, Brigitte, had arrived earlier with her daughter and his step-daughter, Tiphaine Auziere. He was then proclaimed president by France's president of the Constitutional Council, Laurent Fabius.

In his speech, Macron vowed to restore confidence to France.

"The world needs what the French have always taught. For decades France has doubted herself," he said, according to the BBC.

"My mandate will give the French back the confidence to believe in themselves."

A Sky News report said Macron will select his prime minister on Monday, to succeed Bernard Cazeneuve.

Macron won the French presidential election in a landslide last week, beating far-right candidate Marine Le Pen with 66% of the vote.

He ran as an independent candidate, having previously served in Hollande's Socialist government as France's economic minister. He quit the Socialists in August last year to launch his independent "En Marche!", or Onwards, movement.

He is a pro-business, pro-EU centrist who has promised tax cuts to boost investment. He'll also have to deal with France's high unemployment rate.

In voting for him, Macron said France chose "hope," and "looks to the future."

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