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Jean-Francois Cope, Sarkozy ally, wins French UMP vote Jean-Francois Cope, Sarkozy ally, wins French UMP vote
(35 minutes later)
The French conservative UMP party has chosen Jean-Francois Cope as its next leader after an election marred by claims of fraud and ballot-stuffing. The French conservative UMP party has chosen Jean-Francois Cope as its next leader after a tight election marred by claims of fraud and ballot-stuffing.
Mr Cope, an ally of ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy, won 50.03% of the vote, narrowly defeating ex-prime minister Francois Fillon with 49.97%. Mr Cope, an ally of ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy, won 50.03% of the vote, defeating ex-PM Francois Fillon, who polled 49.97%, by just 98 votes.
The final result was delayed for more than 24 hours.The final result was delayed for more than 24 hours.
Mr Cope, the UMP secretary general, is on the right of the party, while Mr Fillon is seen as more of a centrist.Mr Cope, the UMP secretary general, is on the right of the party, while Mr Fillon is seen as more of a centrist.
Party grandees had urged the two candidates to end their war of words, warning that the UMP had been damaged.Party grandees had urged the two candidates to end their war of words, warning that the UMP had been damaged.
Mr Cope said he had telephoned Mr Fillon to ask him to join him at the heart of the UMP "because our opponents are on the left". Different visions
The margin of victory was just 98 votes. Mr Cope, 48, said he had telephoned Mr Fillon, 58, to ask him to join him at the heart of the UMP "because our opponents are on the left".
Opinion polls had consistently given Mr Fillon the edge, but initial results on Sunday showed a narrow lead for Cope.Opinion polls had consistently given Mr Fillon the edge, but initial results on Sunday showed a narrow lead for Cope.
The UMP held the presidency of France for 17 years, until May, when Socialist candidate Francois Hollande defeated Mr Sarkozy's bid for a second term.The UMP held the presidency of France for 17 years, until May, when Socialist candidate Francois Hollande defeated Mr Sarkozy's bid for a second term.
The two candidates have different visions for the party.The two candidates have different visions for the party.
Mr Cope is considered more right-wing. Last month he produced "A Manifesto for an Uninhibited Right" in which he claimed that gangs in the city suburbs were fostering "anti-white racism".Mr Cope is considered more right-wing. Last month he produced "A Manifesto for an Uninhibited Right" in which he claimed that gangs in the city suburbs were fostering "anti-white racism".
Mr Fillon is seen as sober and more restrained.Mr Fillon is seen as sober and more restrained.
The winner will inherit a party in difficult financial straits, after a series of electoral setbacks over the past five years, culminating in Nicolas Sarkozy's presidential defeat to Socialist rival Francois Hollande. The winner will inherit a party in difficult financial straits, after a series of electoral setbacks over the past five years, culminating in Mr Sarkozy's presidential defeat to Socialist rival Francois Hollande.