Conceding defeat and ending his career-long dream of becoming president, the 71-year-old wished Fillon “good luck” in his bid to take back the Elysee Palace from the ruling Socialists. He said “I will defend those values and we will share them with everyone who, with their differences, loves France.”

On the campaign trail, Fillon, who will stand for the Republican party, argued: “France is more rightwing than it has ever been,” and that he was the only one able to tap into that mood and win France’s “ideological battle”. Based on results from about 88 percent of polling stations, organizers of the center-right Republicans party primary said Mr. Fillon led with 67 per cent of the vote compared to 33 per cent for Mr. Juppe. Fillon, a former prime minister who wants to raise the retirement age, cut back social security and scrap the 35-hour working week, would easily beat National Front leader Marine Le Pen in a run-off second round, a flash opinion poll said right after his primaries victory. He warned that France was “on the verge of revolt” and said his plan to slash half a million public sector jobs, reduce the welfare state, cut taxes for the rich and loosen business regulations was the only possible response for a demoralised country struggling with mass unemployment, a sluggish economy and a major terrorist threat. Both Fillon and Juppe, who campaigned on similar economic platforms, are high-profile leaders of the Republicans party who knocked Sarkozy — their former boss — out of the primary’s first round of voting a week ago. Warmer on Russia: "Fillon wants to renew links with Russia and has been praising Russian politicians lately," said Mondon, adding: "It could put him in the same category as the populist right that is on the rise across Europe."
A second-round runoff takes place in France between François Fillon and Alain Juppé to decide who will be the Republican presidential candidate in next year's presidential election.