France rocked on election night as Macron triumph triggers angry clashes across nation

 FURIOUS French voters have taken to the streets across France shortly after the exit polls were announced, which confirmed Emmanuel Macron will remain as President of France.

The French leader has seen off the challenge of far-right candidate Marine Le Pen for the second time today in a historic vote that had all of Europe watching impatiently. Voting closed at 7pm (GMT) with exciting polling showing a comfortable win for Macron. The result has seen Gilet Jaunes (Yellow Vests) protesters take to the streets of the French capital this evening while in other cities violent demonstrations erupted.  

Violent clashes have been seen in cities right across France. 

Protestors clashed with police and set bins on fire in the city of Rennes, northwestern France. 

At Place de la République in the centre of Paris stun grenades and tear gas were fired by riot police against angry demonstrators. 

Footage of the clashes shows French police baton-charging a crowd of protestors in a bid to clear the streets.  

Election protests break out across France (Image: Twitter)

Gilet Jaunes protesters have been taking to the streets of Paris all week, calling for "anything but Macron".

The first projections showed Macron securing around 57-58 percent of the vote. Such estimates are normally accurate but may be fine-tuned as official results come in from around the country.

Cheers of joy erupted as the results appeared on a giant screen at the Champ de Mars park at the foot of the Eiffel tower, where Macron supporters waved French and EU flags.

In contrast, a gathering of dejected Le Pen supporters erupted in boos and whistles as they heard the news at a sprawling reception hall on the outskirts of Paris.

Macron can expect little to no grace period after many, especially on the left only voted for him reluctantly to block the far-right from winning. Protests that marred part of his first mandate could erupt again quite quickly, as he tries to press on with pro-business reforms.

"There will be continuity in government policy because the president has been reelected. But we have also heard the French people's message," Health Minister Olivier Veran told BFM TV.

A first major challenge will be the parliamentary elections.

They are just around the corner, in June, and opposition parties on the left and right will immediately start a major push to try to vote in a parliament and government opposed to Macron.

French election protests: Riots erupt as police clash with protestors | World | News | Express.co.uk