Fillon, Juppe go head-to-head for French conservative presidential ticket

Francois Fillon heads into a five-day runoff campaign for France's conservative presidential ticket as favourite over opponent Alain Juppe after a stunning first-round vote result that ousted ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy from the race. Market analysts say the outcome opens up fresh uncertainty about the result of next year's actual presidential election, potentially increasing a still remote risk that far-right leader Marine Le Pen can win it.