French President Emmanuel Macron says his country will continue defending what he calls an "ambitious" Europe following the strong showing of the anti-immigrant and euro-sceptic League Party in Italy's elections.

EMMANUEL MACRON FRENCH PRESIDENT "I remain cautious about the Italian elections until we see the decision of the President of the Republic who, according to the Constitution, will give the responsibility to form the government. I've noticed in today's world, we can defend beautiful ideas. But we can't do it by putting aside the brutality of the context. And Italy today suffered from the pressure that has been there for months and months now, in the context of the migratory pressure, we have to bear that in mind here. France will keep defending an ambitious Europe that protects and that I have defended since I was elected."