France's Juppe concedes defeat, backs Fillon in presidential election

Hardline reformist Francois Fillon scored a resounding win in France's conservative primaries on Sunday, making him favorite to win a presidential election five months from now against the popular far-right and a deeply divided left. 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.

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