PARIS — French President François Hollande has said the US election results have ushered in a time of uncertainty, even as the French head of state congratulated Donald Trump for his victory.
"The American people have elected Donald Trump [for president]," Hollande told journalists after the weekly cabinet meeting, daily Le Monde reported. "I congratulate him, as is normal between two heads of democratic states. This election opens a period of uncertainty.
"The United States is a partner of the first order."
A pursuit of peace and the Middle East were among key issues Hollande said he would discuss with the new administration in a spirit of "vigilance and frankness."
He said he was certain Trump's policy positions taken on the campaign trail had to be confronted with values and interests that France shared with the US.
"France is an ally of the United States, partner of the United States," Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said on France 2 television. "We need to work together for a balanced world, a peaceful world, for a world that tackles the world issues."
But it remained to be seen what Trump’s policy would be, as his remarks had sparked deep concern on issues such as the Cop 21 climate change agreement, the Iranian agreement on a nuclear freeze and the conflict in Syria, he said.
"What has just happened in a world of uncertainty is a challenge for Europe," he said. "Europe must not flinch. After Brexit, after the election of Donald Trump … there must be more solidarity in Europe."
Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right Front National (FN), tweeted a warm welcome to Trump: "Congratulations to the new President of the United States Donald Trump and the American people, free!"
Trump was "President of the People", said Jean-Marie Le Pen, the father of Marine Le Pen and founder of the FN. "Today, the United States, tomorrow, France. Bravo!" he said.
The FN started out as a fringe party and has garnered increasing electoral support with its anti-immigration and nationalist platform. A presidential election is due to be held in May, followed by a parliamentary poll.
Trump’s election casts doubt over NATO, as the president elect has previously called on European allies to make a larger financial contribution rather than rely on the "American umbrella," Le Monde reported.
"So NATO will not work, and the United States will come to the aid of an ally in the case of an attack only if the European states increase their defense budgets," the daily reported.
The French ambassador to the US, Gérard Araud, took down his tweet after sparking political controversy: "After Brexit and this election, everything is possible. A world crumbles before our very eyes. Vertigo."
