France Elections 2017: Francois Fillon Wins Conservative Primary

Francois Fillon has won the conservative candidacy in the 2017 French presidential election after his rival Alain Juppe admitted defeat.

With virtually all the results counted, Francois Fillon had won November 27 run-off with nearly 67% of the vote.

He said action was now needed to build a fairer society.

Francois Fillon is likely to face a Socialist candidate and the far-right’s Marine Le Pen in next April’s election.

Image source Wikimedia

“My approach has been understood,” he told his supporters after the result of the Republican party primary became clear.

“France can’t bear its decline. It was truth and it wants action.”

Alain Juppe, the more moderate candidate, congratulated Francois Fillon on his “large victory” and pledged to support him in his bid to become president.

With votes from 9,334 of the 10,229 polling stations counted, Francois Fillon won 66.9% while Alain Juppe had 33.1%.

Francois Fillon, 62, had been widely expected to win the race, after securing 44% of the vote in the first round a week ago that saw former President Nicolas Sarkozy knocked out.

A former prime minister under Nicolas Sarkozy, Francois Fillon is a Catholic who is seen as a traditionalist on issues such as abortion and gay marriage.

Francois Fillon is proposing dramatic economic reforms that include slashing 500,000 public jobs, ending the 35-hour week, raising the retirement age and scrapping the wealth tax.

Alain Juppe, also a former prime minister, had initially been seen as the favorite to win the race, but struggled against Francois Fillon’s strong performances in the primary debates.