Fillon’s recent statements justifying his refusal to stand down had taken the beleaguered candidate “down a dead end”, Juppé said. As heavyweights of Les Républicains organise a crisis meeting on Monday, Juppé said calls for him to step into the breach had caused him “to hesitate and reflect”. Fillon had said he would withdraw from the presidential race if he was put under official investigation, but last week went back on this pledge, saying it was for the French people to decide. Juppé said the Front National would lead France “to disaster” with its “anti-European fanaticism”, and described Macron’s programme as “weak”. Juppé said Fillon was showing a determined obstinacy to carry on in the face of widespread defections from his political camp and plunging polls.

Source: The Guardian March 06, 2017 10:54 UTC