Britain's opposition Labor party candidate Sadiq Khan was elected mayor of London, making him the first Muslim leader of a European Union capital.
Khan won 57 percent of the vote after second preferences were taken into account, while his conservative rival finished with 43 percent.
"Congratulations Sadiq Khan. Can't wait to work with you to create a London that is fair for all!" Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn wrote on Twitter late on May 6.
The 45-year-old son of a Pakistani immigrant and London bus driver won out against Conservative rival Zac Goldsmith, 41, the son a wealthy tycoon.
Goldsmith accused Khan of supporting Muslim extremists in a campaign that was widely criticized, including by members of Goldsmith's own Conservative Party.
Khan is a local member of Parliament for Tooting and succeeds the charismatic Boris Johnson, an advocate of Britain's departure from the EU who is seen as one of the favorites to succeed David Cameron as prime minister.
Other mayors including Anne Hidalgo in Paris and Bill de Blasio in New York quickly congratulated Khan.
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls also congratulated Khan for his "outstanding victory" on Twitter. "Looking forward to welcoming you in France," Valls said.
