#FRANCE: Frmr. Pres. Sarkozy Eliminated in Republican Primary

[world politics news]

Former French prime ministers François Fillon and Alain Juppé will vie for the center-right Republican Party nomination in a run-off after handing controversial former president Nicolas Sarkozy a shock defeat on Sunday. With three-quarters of votes counted, Sarkozy (21.7%) was lagging well behind Fillon (43.7%) and Juppé (27.8%.) Sarkozy endorsed Fillon, who leads in the polls to take on Marine Le Pen’s anti-European platform in next year's presidential election.

#FRANCE: Newcomers, Veteran Pols, Launch 2017 Presidential Campaigns

[world politics news]

Former Pres. Nicolas Sarkozy, 61, has announced his long-expected attempt to return to the presidency in next year's French presidential election - something no president has ever done in modern times. He hopes to draw voters away from two other leaders on the right, both of them veterans of French politics. Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Front, is riding high in the polls as discontent over Muslim migrants and terror fears have risen. Former Prime Minister and current Bordeaux Mayor Alain Juppe, 71, is also in the race. Also running is France's rebel Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron, a Rothschild banker who stepped down to run last week. Pres. Francois Hollande is deeply unpopular but has hinted he may run again.

Pictured: Pres. Francois Hollande, left, and Former Pres. Nicolas Sarkozy.