Shocking Upset in France Demolishes Polls

Former Prime Minister of France and presidential candidate, François Fillon

If possible, the French polls got their conservative primary election even worse than did America’s. Bordeaux Mayor Alain Juppé had been the clear leader.

WSJ summarizes results:

Less than a month ago, polls credited Mr. Fillon with less than 15% of the first-round vote. On Sunday, results from 9,347 of the 10,229 polling stations across the country showed he won 44.2% of the votes in a field of seven candidates, ahead of the 28.5% received by Bordeaux Mayor Alain Juppe , who recent polls showed had been the favorite to win the primary. Mr. Sarkozy, by contrast, won just 20.6% of votes.

“Hope has shown itself with strength everywhere in France, demolishing all the predictions,” Mr. Fillon said.

Mr. Fillon and Mr. Juppé will now advance to a runoff next Sunday.