Le Pen admits defeat, hails her score as 'brilliant victory'

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Marine Le Pen, the French far-right candidate who has recently lost the French elections, hailed her score in the elections as a "brilliant victory" despite her defeat to Emmanuel Macron.

Le Pen needed 16 points in the second-round runoff. The far-right candidate came far closer to power than any far-right leader in France's post-World War II history.

Le Pen promised to "carry on" her political career, promising that she would "never abandon" the French.

She said, "The ideas we represent have reached new heights... this result itself represents a brilliant victory," and that she will keep up the political fight against Macron in the run-up to the parliamentary elections in June. 

"The French showed this evening a desire for a strong counterweight against Emmanuel Macron, for an opposition that will continue to defend and protect them," she told supporters after early predictions indicated she had lost the election.

In parallel, she admitted her defeat to Macron. 

"I express my gratitude to all those who showed support in the first round [of the election] and those who joined in the second round... I do not regret anything. This defeat does not prevent me from being hopeful," Le Pen told her supporters.

She noted that the French demonstrated a desire for a strong opposition in France, thus considering the results a victory. 

"We are more determined than ever, and our determination to defend the French has only grown stronger... The French demonstrated a desire for a strong opposition to Emmanuel Macron, which will continue defending them... I will continue fulfilling my obligations to the French vigorously and persistently," Le Pen said.