Macron is a realist who tells the truth. French voters have responded | Sylvie Goulard

The presidential candidate has taken risks on many issues, not least by being proudly pro-EU. We must ensure that it is his vision that triumphs on 7 May

Sunday 23 April was a historic day for France. Neither the main rightwing party (Les Ri(C)publicains) nor the leftwing Parti Socialiste are through to the second round of the presidential election, which takes place on 7 May. It is also historic because the lead candidate going into the second round is the young head of a groundbreaking new political movement, En Marche! (Onwards!), which was launched only a year ago.

Emmanuel Macron and En Marche! have made it to the second round because over the past year they have been bold enough to take risks on many issues. Macron has dared to challenge the established French party-political system in order to find ways of meeting citizens' expectations in a globalised 21st century.

Related: 10 things we've learned from the French presidential elections | Suzanne Moore