Roundup: Fillon makes surprise lead in first-round primary of conservatives

Former French Prime Minister Francois Fillon finished first out of seven contenders in the first round of the conservative primary on Sunday, knocking former President Nicolas Sarkozy out of the presidential race, early results showed.

According to results based on 9,437 polling stations out of a total 10,228, Fillon took 44.2 percent of the vote, maintaining a healthy lead against former Foreign Minister Alain Juppe, who won 28.5 percent.

Sarkozy ranked the third with 20.6 percent of the vote, leaving Fillon and Juppe in play for the second round on Sunday.

"This first round of primaries has been a remarkable popular success, it is a wave that demonstrates the incredible interest of the citizens for the future of their country," said Fillon.

The 62-year-old conservative pledged that his campaign will accelerate further to break with a five-year failure, referring to the administration of President Francois Hollande.

Fillon also paid homage to Sarkozy, in an obvious bid to woo Sarkozy's supporters. "Defeat should humiliate no one and we will need everyone."

With liberal economic ideas, Fillon has campaigned for strict measures to revive the French economy. He promised to slash 500,000 public posts, cut public spending and make the French work longer.

Juppe, 71, vowed to continue the fight. "I want to bring French voters together around credible, fair reforms," he told supporters after the release of the partial results.

"This first round is a surprise, next Sunday, as I want, will be another surprise," he added.

Building his campaign on "happy identity," Juppe portrayed himself as the country's unifier "to lead to the path of peace and hope."

He promised to restore state power, tackle mass unemployment and modernize the educational system.

With a moderate rhetoric, Juppe is seeking to win support of centrists and left-wing voters who are angry at broken promises of Socialist President Hollande and wants to block far-right leader Marine Le Pen from winning the 2017 election.

Sarkozy, who hoped to revenge himself on his defeat in 2012, came back with a pledge to listen to "the silent majority."

He had bet on his political credentials that earned him in 2007 the highest popularity ratings of any leader since Charles de Gaulle. Unfortunately, his narrative has not worked out.

Speaking to his supporters, Sarkozy acknowledged defeat and endorsed Fillon, who served as prime minister under his 2007-2012 presidency.

"I have no bitterness, no sadness, and I wish all the best for my country, for you, my fellow citizens, and for the one who will lead this country I love so much," he said.

"I hold Alain Juppe in high esteem, but I feel closer to Francois Fillon's political choices. I will therefore vote for him in the second round of the primary," he added.

Former Agriculture Minister Bruno Le Maire, who had 2.7 percent of the vote in the first round, also endorsed Fillon.

According to pollsters, a conservative candidate would easily defeat Hollande and Le Pen in the presidential race. Endi