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France presidential election: Conservative rivals clash | France presidential election: Conservative rivals clash |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The two rivals for the centre-right French presidential nomination have clashed over the level of change they promise to bring, in a TV debate. | The two rivals for the centre-right French presidential nomination have clashed over the level of change they promise to bring, in a TV debate. |
Surprise frontrunner Francois Fillon said his project was "more radical", and vowed to implement sweeping changes in the first three months of his term. | Surprise frontrunner Francois Fillon said his project was "more radical", and vowed to implement sweeping changes in the first three months of his term. |
Alain Juppe insisted his proposals were "deep and credible" but lacked the "brutality" of Mr Fillon's plans. | Alain Juppe insisted his proposals were "deep and credible" but lacked the "brutality" of Mr Fillon's plans. |
It was the final Republicans party debate before Sunday's concluding vote. | It was the final Republicans party debate before Sunday's concluding vote. |
The Republicans candidate is widely expected to face far-right National Front (FN) leader Marine Le Pen in a runoff vote in the presidential election next May. | The Republicans candidate is widely expected to face far-right National Front (FN) leader Marine Le Pen in a runoff vote in the presidential election next May. |
Self-declared supporters of the centre-right values are choosing between the two former prime ministers. It is the party's first such primary vote, modelled on the US system. | |
Seven candidates were whittled down to two last Sunday, with Mr Fillon taking an unexpectedly decisive lead of 44.1% to Mr Juppe's 28.5%. | Seven candidates were whittled down to two last Sunday, with Mr Fillon taking an unexpectedly decisive lead of 44.1% to Mr Juppe's 28.5%. |
Juppe v Fillon: Battle of France's conservatives | Juppe v Fillon: Battle of France's conservatives |
Press review: France's 'Mr Nobody' Francois Fillon | Press review: France's 'Mr Nobody' Francois Fillon |
Fillon under fire over women's rights | Fillon under fire over women's rights |
The past week has seen a campaign marked by a bitter row over the nature Mr Fillon's social policies. Mr Juppe provoked a furious reaction when he questioned whether Mr Fillon, a Roman Catholic, could seek to challenge the legality of abortion. | The past week has seen a campaign marked by a bitter row over the nature Mr Fillon's social policies. Mr Juppe provoked a furious reaction when he questioned whether Mr Fillon, a Roman Catholic, could seek to challenge the legality of abortion. |
But polling suggests such tactics seem to have backfired on Mr Juppe, once the favourite seen as the safe choice. | But polling suggests such tactics seem to have backfired on Mr Juppe, once the favourite seen as the safe choice. |
A poll of 908 debate viewers by Elabe suggested 71% of conservative respondents found Mr Fillon more convincing, as did 57% of viewers of all political stripes. | A poll of 908 debate viewers by Elabe suggested 71% of conservative respondents found Mr Fillon more convincing, as did 57% of viewers of all political stripes. |
Job cuts | Job cuts |
"It is true that my project is more radical and perhaps more difficult," said Mr Fillon. | "It is true that my project is more radical and perhaps more difficult," said Mr Fillon. |
His controversial economic reforms include cutting half a million public sector jobs and scrapping the 35-hour work week, prompting comparisons to the late British prime minister Margaret Thatcher. | His controversial economic reforms include cutting half a million public sector jobs and scrapping the 35-hour work week, prompting comparisons to the late British prime minister Margaret Thatcher. |
Mr Juppe also proposes cutting jobs and liberalising work hours, though to a lesser extent. Both propose roughly similar cuts to public spending of at least €100bn (£85bn; $106bn). | Mr Juppe also proposes cutting jobs and liberalising work hours, though to a lesser extent. Both propose roughly similar cuts to public spending of at least €100bn (£85bn; $106bn). |
"I've got a plan for the reforms I want to make in the first three months of the presidential term - and I'm convinced if we don't get these changes implemented in the first three months, the French people will feel disheartened, they'll turn away from politics, and then there'll be a greater risk of the extremists winning," Mr Fillon said. | "I've got a plan for the reforms I want to make in the first three months of the presidential term - and I'm convinced if we don't get these changes implemented in the first three months, the French people will feel disheartened, they'll turn away from politics, and then there'll be a greater risk of the extremists winning," Mr Fillon said. |
The country was "on the brink of revolt", which could only be averted with such radical action. | The country was "on the brink of revolt", which could only be averted with such radical action. |
What's the difference between Juppe and Fillon? Papers debate | What's the difference between Juppe and Fillon? Papers debate |
Conservative Le Figaro says the debate "eased tensions on the right" and showed the two contenders "have already formed identical visions and almost similar projects" - in particular the need to end the "vicious cycle of spending and debt". | Conservative Le Figaro says the debate "eased tensions on the right" and showed the two contenders "have already formed identical visions and almost similar projects" - in particular the need to end the "vicious cycle of spending and debt". |
They have "some differences on security, education and migration, but they are minor", concludes its political editor. | They have "some differences on security, education and migration, but they are minor", concludes its political editor. |
But centre-left Le Monde's political correspondent disagrees, seeing "significant differences" on the European Union, Russia and Syria. | But centre-left Le Monde's political correspondent disagrees, seeing "significant differences" on the European Union, Russia and Syria. |
While Mr Fillon wants to "respect the sovereignty" of EU member states, Mr Juppe favours a "powerful EU as a future world power". | While Mr Fillon wants to "respect the sovereignty" of EU member states, Mr Juppe favours a "powerful EU as a future world power". |
On Syria, Mr Fillon wants to put France "back in play" by "opening a channel to Damascus", whereas Mr Juppe wants to "boost transatlantic co-operation" and takes a firm line against President Bashar al-Assad, Le Monde says. | On Syria, Mr Fillon wants to put France "back in play" by "opening a channel to Damascus", whereas Mr Juppe wants to "boost transatlantic co-operation" and takes a firm line against President Bashar al-Assad, Le Monde says. |
Left-wing Liberation writes that the debate between "Fillon the radical and Juppe the reconciler" was "knotty, often tense, but not aggressive". | Left-wing Liberation writes that the debate between "Fillon the radical and Juppe the reconciler" was "knotty, often tense, but not aggressive". |
It thought Mr Juppe managed to score points over his opponent on some issues, but "not enough to trouble the winner of the first round". | It thought Mr Juppe managed to score points over his opponent on some issues, but "not enough to trouble the winner of the first round". |
BBC Monitoring reports and analyses news from TV, radio, web and print media around the world. You can follow BBC Monitoring on Twitter and Facebook. | BBC Monitoring reports and analyses news from TV, radio, web and print media around the world. You can follow BBC Monitoring on Twitter and Facebook. |
Mr Juppe hit back at Mr Fillon, saying "reform should not be a punishment but bring hope". | Mr Juppe hit back at Mr Fillon, saying "reform should not be a punishment but bring hope". |
"The French social model exists, I want to consolidate it... not break it," Mr Juppe said, referring to the welfare system. | "The French social model exists, I want to consolidate it... not break it," Mr Juppe said, referring to the welfare system. |
Mr Juppe pledged to bring unity and stability to the presidency - whose current Socialist incumbent, Francois Hollande, has seen his popularity drop to historic lows. | Mr Juppe pledged to bring unity and stability to the presidency - whose current Socialist incumbent, Francois Hollande, has seen his popularity drop to historic lows. |
He said he would choose a "loyal" PM and 15 "durable" cabinet ministers who would not "change every 18 months". | He said he would choose a "loyal" PM and 15 "durable" cabinet ministers who would not "change every 18 months". |
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