The Wire

French voters defied expectations on Sunday by throwing former President Nicolas Sarkozy out of the race to be the Conservative’s nominee for the presidential election. Instead, they propelled ex-prime minister François Fillon to the top spot.

Mr Fillon won 44 per cent of the votes while his rival Alain Juppe came second. They will face off again next week where one will become the presidential nominee for the centre right party “Les Republicains”.

Experts say that the winner is likely to face far right’s Marine Le pen in the second round of the French Presidential election to be held in May next year.