* With polls now closed across the country, centrist Emmanuel Macron has been elected French President with an estimated 65.5% of the vote, with his rival, far-right Marine Le Pen, taking 34.5%. Follow FRANCE 24's live blog below for the latest news. * Macron, 39, has become the youngest president of France's Fifth Republic. * France's 47 million voters chose between radically different platforms: the free-trade, pro-EU policies of Macron's En Marche! (Forward!) party, and the protectionist nationalism of Le Pen's National Front. * Voting stations opened at 8am (6am GMT) in mainland France Sunday, and most closed at 7pm, while those in larger cities closed at 8pm. Voters overseas began voting Saturday. * Official turnout figures have been lower than in the April 23 first round. The noon turnout was 28.2%, slightly less than the 28.5% in the first round. At 5pm, the turnout was 65.3%, lower than the 69.4% at the same time on April 23.
* It has been a historic election by several measures: both candidates were from parties outside the political mainstream. It follows an unprecedented campaign marked by scandal and repeated surprises. * French law prohibited French media from quoting the presidential candidates or their supporters until the polls closes at 8pm Sunday.
