The French made history in the first round of their presidential elections on Sunday, as neither of the two winners came from the countrys large, traditional establishment parties for the first time in modern France.

Pro-European Union politicians and voters hope that independent candidate Emmanuel Macron will defeat far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen in the second round on May 7, giving a much-needed boost to an embattled EU. Polls predict that Macron will win with around 60 percent of the vote.

Some hold up Macrons first-round victory as proof that the forces of populism are no match for the current liberal order. But in fact, the French election can be seen as an extreme example of a trend across Europe, in which establishment parties and traditional left-right divides are being supplanted by new political movements, anxiety over national identity and radical parties railing against the effects of globalization.

Even if Le Pen loses, millions in France will vote for her and she is set to remain a prominent political figure for years to come. Frances traditional left will still be in shambles and the countrys electorate divided.