France: François Fillon wins conservative candidacy

François Fillon, the socially conservative former prime minister who plans to shrink the French state, appears on course to win the primary race to become the French right’s presidential candidate next spring. Early results show Mr Fillon had won Sunday's run-off with about 67, with the majority of polling stations counted. In his concession speech, Juppe said that he would offer “full support” to his rival, and wished Fillon “good luck” in the presidential election next year.