Conservative Fillon wins presidential primary

He will face fierce competition in April and May from far-right leader Marine Le Pen

Francois Fillon, a conservative reformist promising to shrink the French state, on Sunday clinched the rightwing nomination for next year's presidential election with a resounding victory over his rival Alain Juppe.

Former prime minister Fillon, 62, will now become a favorite to be France's next leader after winning the US-style primary to pick the nominee of The Republicans party and its allies.