Presidential race: Conservative rivals in run-off poll

Voters in France yesterday went to poll to choose between Francois Fillon and Alain Juppe to be their centre-right presidential candidate in next year’s election. Mr Fillon is now seen as the favourite to win Sunday’s run-off, after securing 44.1% of votes in the first round a week ago. Mr Juppe had 28.5%. Former President […]

Voters in France yesterday went to poll to choose between Francois Fillon and Alain Juppe to be their centre-right presidential candidate in next year’s election.

Mr Fillon is now seen as the favourite to win Sunday’s run-off, after securing 44.1% of votes in the first round a week ago. Mr Juppe had 28.5%.

Former President Nicolas Sarkozy was knocked out of the race. The Republican candidate is widely expected to take on far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen next spring.

It is the party’s first such primary vote, modeled on the US system. The race for the nomination has come down to a choice between two former prime ministers.

More than four million people voted in the first round a week ago, denying Mr Sarkozy another run at the presidency.