Alwaght- The conservative ex-prime minister Francois Fillon wins the France presidential candidate for the Republican party in next year's election.
Fillon easily beat Bordeaux Mayor Alain Juppe in the Republican party's first ever US-style primary runoff Sunday, getting about 66% of the vote.
"Victory is mine. It is a substantive victory built on belief," Fillon said as he spoke to supporters after his win. "We have all the assets to be a modern, sovereign nation in the lead in Europe."
Fillon could face far-right National Front Party leader Marine Le Pen in the final round of the presidential vote next spring, as voters are widely expected to boot out the Socialist Party that has ruled France since 2012 under the leadership of President Francois Hollande, whose popularity is waning.
"This past presidential term has been pathetic," Fillon said criticizing Hollande. "It is time to end it and start moving forward as we have never done in 30 years. For this we will need everyone."
Fillon, 62, is a lawyer who served as prime minister between 2007 and 2012 under Sarkozy.
A hard line on immigration has also bolstered Le Pen, whose anti-Europe stance is gaining popularity among French voters. In an interview with CNN last week, she said she'd been emboldened by Donald Trump's surprise victory in the United States.
"It makes the French realize that what the people want, they can get, if they mobilize themselves," she said.
