France’s Man to Take on the Far Right

François Fillon became France’s center-right presidential candidate on Nov. 27 after winning the Republicans’ party primary and is now considered the main rival to far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen in the 2017 elections. Here’s what to know:

ECONOMIC LIBERAL

He was Prime Minister under former President Nicolas Sarkozy from 2007 to 2012 and is a pro-E.U. free-market evangelist. He idolizes Britain’s Margaret Thatcher and has enraged labor unions with plans to end the 35-hour workweek.

SOCIAL CONSERVATIVE

The father of five has vowed to ban adoption for gay couples and voted against same-sex marriage, and is opposed to abortion and surrogacy.

RIGHTWARD SHIFT

Fillon has called for curbs on immigration and for an alliance with Russia to fight “Islamic totalitarianism.” Co-opting the far right’s rhetoric has worked, so far–the latest polls show him ahead of Le Pen–but in a time when populist outsiders are insurgent, his establishment pedigree may put him at a disadvantage.

–Tara John