The Guardian reports that former prime ministers François Fillon and Alain Juppé face second vote on 27 November, after Nicolas Sarkozy suffers humiliating rejection.

Source: Sarkozy defeated in primary for French right’s presidential candidate | World news | The Guardian

Sarkozy proposed so much and delivered so little and it’s probably best for France that he’s consigned to history. Fillon is being compared to Margaret Thatcher and proposes to cut 500k jobs from the public sector. Whilst France desperately needs economic reform to remain competitive, so far the powerful unions have won every confrontation – claiming power of the people. Juppé is is slightly more moderate than Fillon but at the age of 71 years, he’s a bit long in the tooth.

Fillon or Juppé will face le Pen and the socialist candidate – possibly Hollande but he’s not confirmed whether he’s running again.

If anything, Hollande is even more unpopular than Sarkozy.

In my view, the right needs a popular leader who will appeal against le Pen. But Hollande leading the socialists will surely drive more white working class voters to le Pen?

Thoughts?