Electoral commissioners begin counting ballots in FrancePARIS, Apr 24 French President Emmanuel Macron is gaining 53.91% in the second round of the presidential election, his rival, the leader of the far-right National Rally party, Marine Le Pen — 46.09%, according to the country's Ministry of Internal Affairs, after counting 71% of the votes. The President of France is elected for five years by universal direct secret ballot. Voting takes place in two rounds, the first was held on April 10, 12 candidates took part in it. Macron and Le Pen advanced to the second round. According to the French Ministry of the Interior, in the first round, the incumbent president won 27.84% of the vote, the leader of the «National Rally» — 23.15%. Macron says his second term will be turbulent but historic
