France’s Francois Fillon fights to save presidential bid after fake-job scandal
Paris — Francois Fillon was fighting to keep his embattled French presidential bid alive on Monday as former president Nicolas Sarkozy piled pressure on him before crisis talks at their right-wing Republicans party. Conservative Fillon, 63, was once a clear favourite to win France’s two-stage election in April and May, but his campaign is mired in accusations he used public funds to pay his wife for a fake parliamentary job. Waiting in the wings is another former prime minister, Alain Juppe, whom Fillon beat in a primary vote to chose the candidate for the conservative Les Republicans party in November. Sarkozy, who picked Fillon as his prime minister from 2007-2012, called on him and Juppe to meet "to find a dignified and credible way out of this situation which cannot continue and which is creating serious problems for the French people." Juppe, 71, is seen as the most obvious replacement for Fillon, but has consistently ruled himself out of contention. Despite a raft of desertion...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.