Francois Fillon wins French conservative primary to set up presidential election battle with Marine Le Pen

HOTLY-fancied Francois Fillon will be the conservative candidate during next year's French presidential election after party rival Alain Juppe admitted defeat.

After more than 90% of polling stations had reported their results Fillon was on 66.8% and his opponent, Juppé, on 33.2%.

The pair, both ex prime ministers, were battling to become the candidate for the centre-right Les Republicains party.

After his expected victory, the former French PM pledged to build a fairer society in France.

He is likely to face a Socialist candidate and the far-right's Marine Le Pen in next April's election.

Fillon is now the favourite to win the presidency next year.

The election is shaping up to be another test of anti-establishment anger in Western countries.

"My approach has been understood," he told his supporters after the result became clear. "France can't bear its decline. It was truth and it wants action.

"I will take up an unusual challenge for France - tell the truth and completely change its software."

Shortly after polls closed they were already celebrating at his headquarters as the first results came in.

Within hours, it was confirmed. Mr Fillon had won two-thirds of the vote.

In Paris, Mr Juppe congratulated Mr Fillon on the "large victory", adding: "I finish this campaign as I began it - as a free man who did not compromise what he is or what he thinks".

He called for unity and calm after a campaign during which he accused his rival of pandering to anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim feeling.

Mr Fillon is now likely to face the howdown with far-right National Front leader Le Pen, also relying on anti-immigrant feelings in France.

Mr Fillon,  married to a Welsh woman, has proposed spending cuts, increasing sales tax, scrapping a tax on the wealthy, fewer restrictions on the working week and raising the retirement age to 65.

He also wants to limit the adoption rights of gay couples, to push for closer ties with Russia and to focus on tackling Islamic extremism and slashing immigration.

Mr Fillon was the prime minister from 2007 to 2012 under President Nicolas Sarkozy, who was eliminated from the party race a week ago and now is supporting him.

Mr Juppe was PM from 1995 to 1997 under the then President Jacques Chirac.

In the first round of voting on 20 November, Mr Fillon won 44.1% of the votes, Mr Juppe 28.6% and Mr Sarkozy trailed last with 20.7%.