From CNBC: Centrist Emmanuel Macron took a big step towards the French presidency on Sunday by winning the first round of voting and qualifying for a May 7 runoff alongside far-right leader Marine Le Pen. Though Macron, 39, is a comparative political novice who has never held elected office, new opinion polls on Sunday had him easily winning the final clash against the 48-year-old Le Pen. The French Interior Ministry’s final figures for the first round showed Macron earned 23.75 percent of the vote, while Le Pen won 21.53 percent. Sunday’s outcome is a huge defeat for the two center-right … Continue reading Le Pen & Macron Runoff — OPEN THREAD