The surprise victor of the first round of France’s centre-right presidential primary has called for a “profound change and transformation” in the country, a day after seeing off former president Nicolas Sarkozy in the battle to become candidate for the Elysée palace, reports The Guardian.
Speaking on Monday night, François Fillon, a former prime minister who won 44% of the vote in Sunday’s first-round primary, denied his victory was an “outsider’s revenge” against his rivals, Sarkozy and Alain Juppé.
In a television interview Fillon, 62, said he was convinced his economically liberal and socially conservative political ideas had resonated with the French people. “There is a form of revolt by the French people against the political class, and against opinion poll after poll that gave the impression that the result was a foregone conclusion and they had no role to play,” he said.
He added: “Everyone said I had no chance for my programme, which I admit is a difficult programme … but for the French to choose with such a big percentage to support me means they believe in this programme.
“We need a profound change and transformation of our country … I believe the majority of the French people want this.”
In the wake of Sunday’s result, which saw the former favourite Juppé come second with 28% of the vote, France’s centre-right heavyweights were forced to realign their loyalties to either Fillon or 71-year-old Juppé.
The two men will go head-to-head in a televised debate before next Sunday’s second round of voting by their party, Les Républicains.
Former ministers and losing candidates – including Sarkozy, who once described his one-time prime minister as “Mister Nobody” – declared they would support Fillon in the second round.
Whichever of the two former prime ministers wins is expected to be the only credible opponent to the far right’s Marine Le Pen in the presidential election next spring.
Some analysts have said Fillon, an avowed Thatcherite, may prove a less formidable opponent than Juppé.