EMMANUEL Macron has comfortably won re-election to a second term as French president.

The victory for the 44-year-old centrist spared France and Europe from the upheaval of having populist Marine Le Pen at the helm.

The presidential run-off challenger quickly conceded defeat, but achieved her best-ever electoral showing.

During his victory speech, Macron was cheered by several hundred supporters who happily waved French and EU flags.

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon congratulates Emmanuel Macron on French election win

With the Scottish Government keen to take Scotland back into the EU after independence, what might pro-EU Macron’s win mean for the country?

Scotland, which saw 62% of people back remaining in the EU at the 2016 referendum, has long-standing ties with France.

All the way back in 1295, the two kingdoms formed the “auld alliance” – a pact protecting each country’s shared interests against English expansion.

Now that the countries are not at war, the expression is used in reference to the nations’ historic bond.

Prior to becoming president Macron did speak on France’s relationship with Scotland – here’s what he had to say.

'Long live European Scotland'

Speaking in March 2017, following the Brexit vote, Macron was asked if he backs Scottish independence.

While he said it was not his place to express a Yes or No answer, he said: “I can’t speak for others. But I think that Scotland have a heart and knowledge and understanding that they love Europe."

The presenter asked him if that was a yes, if Macron was saying “long live free Scotland”.

But the then-presidential candidate replied: “Long live European Scotland. Long live European Scotland.”

Macron on Brexit

Macron has spoken out against Brexit in the past, telling viewers of his 2021 New Year’s Speech that the UK’s withdrawal from the EU had not been based on a truthful campaign.

“The United Kingdom remains our neighbour but also our friend and ally. This choice of leaving Europe, this Brexit, was the child of European malaise and lots of lies and false promises,” he told the French public.

“I want to tell you very clearly this evening, our destiny is first of all in Europe. Our sovereignty is national and I will do everything to ensure we remain the masters of our destiny and our lives. But this sovereignty also acts through the stronger, more autonomous and more united EU that we have built in 2020.”

Relief in Europe

Le Pen’s loss in Sunday’s election will be a relief for pro-EU figures across the continent.

During her campaign, Le Pen pledged to dilute French ties with the 27-nation EU, Nato and Germany, moves that would have shaken Europe’s security architecture as the continent deals with its worst conflict since the Second World War.

The National:

READ MORE: French election: Relief as Emmanuel Macron defeats Marine Le Pen

Le Pen also spoke out against EU sanctions on Russian energy supplies and faced scrutiny during the campaign over her previous friendliness with the Kremlin.

A chorus of European leaders hailed Macron’s victory, since France has played a leading role in international efforts to punish Russia with sanctions and is supplying weapons to Ukraine.

“Democracy wins, Europe wins,” said Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez.