With the triumph over the weekend of Emmanuel Macron, the prospect of France leaving the European Union - as proposed by his run-off opponent Marine Le Pen - has been all but eliminated.
But many analysts are already saying that if Macron fails to deliver on economic promises over the next five years, then the challenge from the National Front could be even stiffer come the 2022 election.
As a former economy minister to outgoing president Francois Hollande, his economic credentials formed a big part of his campaign.
The election result briefly sent the euro to a six-month high against the U.S. dollar, as markets reacted to the victory by the pro-EU candidate. Le Pen had campaigned for France to leave the euro and proposed a referendum in which French voters would have an opportunity to vote to leave the EU.
Macron wants France to stay in the euro-zone, but at the same time, to reform the region. In his manifesto, he wanted a common euro-zone budget and a euro-zone finance minister too.
He also will ask Berlin to invest and spend more to help Germany's domestic economy, which it is hoped will help French exporters and manufacturers in other European countries.
But all of this can only happen with Germany's backing. There'll be no decisions until after Germany's elections later this year, so for now Macron can only focus on domestic policy.
Hollande initially tried to please the socialist elements of his party by being tough on companies. Macron as economy minister oversaw a change in direction over the past three years, heralding a more pro-business approach.
That included about 40bn euros ($44 billion U.S.) in tax breaks to try to invigorate the economy, a benefit Macron plans to make permanent. He also says corporation tax will be gradually reduced from 33% to 25%. And a new wealth tax, aimed at the rich, will not apply to financial investments.
The unemployment rate in France is 10.1%. About three million people who want to work and are looking for a job don't have one.
While not the worst figures in Europe, it is above average for the region and far worse than, for example, the Netherlands, where it is just above 5%, and Germany, where it is below 4%. The figure for the U.K. is below 5%.
