France’s 2017 presidential election: Everything to Know About François F...

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François Fillon has emerged as the surprise frontrunner in a race to choose France’s center right presidential candidate in next year’s elections, after former President Nicolas Sarkozy was defeated in the first-round of voting.


On Sunday, French voters unexpectedly propelled Fillon to first place in
the Les Republicains primary, who had long been the third man in a race
dominated by Sarkozy and Bordeaux mayor Alain Juppé. After months
behind Sarkozy in the polls, Fillon took more than 44% of the vote in
the first round, with Juppé trailing in second with around 28%. The race
is significant because polling suggests the winner will likely be the
main challenger to far-right, Euroskeptic National Front leader Marion
Le Pen in next year’s election.

Sarkozy once belittled Fillon—
who served under him as prime minister from 2007 to 2012— by calling him
his “employee.” By Sunday, Fillon had effectively ended the political
career of his former boss. Sarkozy conceded defeat from his campaign
headquarters, giving Fillon his endorsement over the more centrist
Juppé.