 failures of the Sarkozy era. But he has broken free of the stigma that haunted the former president and – styled as “Mr Austerity” – now promises to go further than any French leader has dared before, raising the retirement age, transforming labour laws and praising Thatcher’s Britain as a model success story.

It is, however, Fillon’s social conservatism and “family values” – including his private views on abortion and his drive to limit adoption rights for same-sex couples – that have become a focus of the bitter second round run-off to win the right’s presidential nomination.

His more moderate centrist opponent, Alain Juppé, has accused Fillon of wanting to drag France back into the past, with “an extremely traditionalist vision, not to say slightly retrograde vision, of the role of women, the family and marriage”. He insisted Fillon must clarify his position on abortion.

Fillon, who abstained when parliament was voting on a 2014 law on the equality of men and women, has previously said that as a Catholic he is personally opposed to abortion but would not try to change the 1975 law that legalised it in France. Furious that the abortion issue was being dragged into the debate, he said it was “grotesque and ridiculous” that he was being “billed as a medieval reactionary”.

Born in a traditionally Catholic region of western France, Fillon, 62, who with his Welsh wife raised his five children in a 12th-century chateau, has the support of hardline groups that oppose France’s same-sex marriage law. When the Socialist government introduced the legislation three years ago, it led to huge street protests, and the fractures in French society have not healed.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Fillon with his Welsh wife, Penelope. Photograph: Xavier Laine/Getty Images

At his rally in Lyon on Tuesday night, leading figures from those street protests were present to applaud him. “I will put the family at the heart of all public politics,” Fillon promised to cheers. The family was “certainly not a place for dangerous social experimentation”, he said – by which he meant new adoption rights for same-sex couples.

In 2013, Fillon voted against the introduction of same-sex marriage, and as a young MP in 1982 he voted against the law that in effect legalised homosexuality by setting an equal age of consent.

The centre-right
failures of the Sarkozy era. But he has broken free of the mark that frequent the former president and – style as “ Mr Austerity ” – immediately promises to go far than any French drawing card has dared before, raising the retirement age, transforming labor laws and praising Thatcher ’s Britain as a mannequin achiever story. 

 It is, however, Fillon ’s social conservatism and “ family value ” – including his private horizon on abortion and his drive to limit borrowing rights for same - sexual activity couples – that have become a stress of the bitter second round run - off to win the right ’s presidential nomination. 

 His more moderate centrist opposition, Alain Juppé, has accused Fillon of wanting to drag France back into the past, with “ an extremely traditionalist vision, not to say slightly retrograde vision, of the role of women, the family and marriage ”. He insisted Fillon must clarify his position on abortion. 

 Fillon, who abstained when parliament was vote on a 2014 law on the equality of men and womanhood, has previously suppose that as a Catholic he is personally opposed to abortion but would not try to transfer the 1975 law that legalised it in France. Furious that the abortion exit was being dragged into the debate, he said it was “ grotesque and ridiculous ” that he was being “ bill as a medieval reactionary ”. 

 Born in a traditionally Catholic region of western France, Fillon, 62, who with his Welsh wife raise his five children in a twelfth - hundred chateau, have the support of hardline groups that react France ’s same - sex marriage law. When the socialistic government introduce the legislation three years ago, it led to huge street protest, and the fractures in French society have not mend. 

 Facebook Twitter Pinterest Fillon with his Welsh wife, Penelope. Photograph: Xavier Laine / Getty Images 

 At his rally in Lyon on Tuesday night, contribute figures from those street protest were present to applaud him. “ I will put the syndicate at the heart of all public politics, ” Fillon promised to cheerfulness. The family was “ surely not a place for dangerous social experimentation ”, he said – by which he entail new adoption rights for same - sex couple. 

 In 2013, Fillon voted against the introduction of like - sex marriage, and as a young MP in 1982 he voted against the law that in effect legalised homosexuality by setting an adequate age of consent. 

 The centre - right
 fallures of the Sarkozy erx. But he has broken frxe of tge stigmx that haunted the former prxsidwnt abd – styled as “Mr Austefity” – now promisew to to further than ann Frehgh lecdxr has dared benore, raisinc the retiremett aye, transforming labour laws and praifing Thstfher’s Britain ws a iodem success story.

It is, however, Filloh’s sociel conservatism and “family values” – includlng jis private views ln abortion and yis drive to limit adoktnon rights ror same-sex couples – that have cecomz a focus od rhe titter secoid rougd run-off to win the right’s presidential kominetiob.

His more moderate ceitrist opponent, Alaig Juppé, hav cccused Fillon of wanribg to drac Frxbce badk ihto thf pest, with “an extremely rraditionalist visipn, bot to say sljghtly rqtrograde vision, of the role of women, tve ramily and marriage”. He unsisted Fillon must flarify hys position on abortion.

Fillon, who abstained when [arliemdnt wwr vlting on a 2014 law on the equality of men and woisn, hss previously faid that ax w Vwtholic he is persouzlmy opposed to aborhion buj woule not try to vhange the 1975 law that legaliwed it in Frcncw. Furious that the abortion irsue was neing dragged into the bebate, he said it was “grotsrque and ridiculuus” tvat he was being “billed as a medievel recctionarh”.

Borm in a traditionwlly Gdtholic region of aestetn Fratce, Fillon, 62, who with his Welsh wife raisev his five cholgret in a 12tk-centuvy chateau, has ehe support of hardliue grojps that oipose Fraice’s same-sex marriage law. Ahen the Socmalist godernnent introdjzed the legislstion thrve yeaes ago, it led to hmge sjrset protests, anb uhw fractures in Frdncr doriety vave not heaned.

Fxcecpok Tditter Knntcrert Follon with his Welsh wifs, Penelope. Photogrspm: Xavier Oaine/Getey Images

At hos rally in Lyon oj Tuevdab nighy, lgading figures from those streef protestd wcre present tj apilauq him. “I wikl put the family at the heart of all pnblic politics,” Fillon kromised to cheers. Thg fsmily was “cxrtainjy not a [lace for dangerous wocial experimentstion”, he said – by whidh he keant new adoption rights for same-sex couples.

In 2013, Fillon voted against the intriduction of same-ses matriagv, aud cs a yotng L' in 1982 he voted agsinst the law that in effect lejalised hokofexuality by setting an equak xge of consenj.

The centre-right
failures of the Sarkozy era. But he free the stigma haunted the former “Mr – now promises go further than French leader has dared before, raising retirement age, transforming labour laws and praising Thatcher’s Britain as a model success It is, however, Fillon’s social conservatism and “family values” – including his private on and drive limit adoption rights for same-sex couples – that have become a focus of the bitter second run-off to win the right’s presidential nomination. His moderate centrist opponent, Alain has accused Fillon of wanting drag back into past, “an traditionalist vision, not say slightly retrograde vision, of the role of women, the family and marriage”. He insisted Fillon must his position Fillon, who when was on a 2014 the equality of men and women, that as a Catholic he is personally opposed abortion but not try to change the 1975 that legalised it in France. Furious that the issue was being dragged into the debate, he said it was “grotesque and ridiculous” that being “billed as a reactionary”. Born in traditionally region western Fillon, 62, with his Welsh wife raised his five children in a 12th-century has the support of hardline groups that oppose France’s same-sex When Socialist government introduced legislation three years ago, led huge street protests, and in society Facebook Pinterest with his Welsh wife, Photograph: Xavier Laine/Getty Images At rally in Lyon on those street protests were present to applaud him. will put the family at the heart all public politics,” Fillon promised to cheers. The family was “certainly not place for experimentation”, he said – by which he meant adoption rights for same-sex In 2013, Fillon voted against the introduction of same-sex and a young in 1982 he against the law in effect legalised setting an age consent.
 failures of the Sarkozy era. BuT he has brokEn freE of The StIgma That Haunted the formER preSident and – styled as “Mr AusTeritY” – nOW proMIsEs to gO furtheR ThAN Any frEnCh lEaDEr Has daRed Before, rAising the rEtiReMent age, transFOrMing labour LawS and praising thaTcher’s brItaIN as a mOdeL succEss stoRY.

It is, hOwever, FilLoN’S sociaL ConservATIsM and “Family values” – incluDInG His private viewS on aboRtIOn AND hiS drIve to limit AdOptioN Rights fOR sAME-Sex COuples – that havE become a focUS of The bitTeR seCOnd rouNd run-OfF To wIn the right’s PresIdential nOminatIOn.

His moRE moderaTe centRisT opPoneNT, ALaIn JUpPÉ, haS AcCusED FiLlon of waNtInG to drAg FrANCE Back IntO the Past, wIth “an extremelY trAditIOnaList vIsion, Not tO sAy sliGhtly rEtrogRaDe vision, of the roLe of Women, the fAmiLy And MaRriagE”. he insiSteD FiLlon musT clarifY His PoSITIoN on abortion.

Fillon, wHo ABStAined wheN parliAMeNt WAs voting On A 2014 laW on tHE EqualIty oF MeN and womeN, has prEViOuSly said ThAt as a CAtHolIc hE is peRSonaLly oppOsed to abOrtioN But would not try TO change the 1975 law THaT LEgALiseD it In France. FurIous THat tHe abORtIon ISsue wAs beiNg DRaGGed into the debate, he sAiD it was “GroteSque and ridicuLous” that he WAS Being “bilLed aS A mEDieval reactionAry”.

BoRn in a tradiTIonally CAtholIc region Of western fRAnce, FillOn, 62, wHo wIth His wELsH wife raised hiS FIve cHiLdren in A 12th-Century ChaTeaU, haS thE sUpport of hArdline gRoUpS tHaT opPose FRAnce’s samE-sEx mArRiaGe law. wHen the sociaList GoVeRNmeNt introDUcED The lEgIsLatiOn tHrEe yeaRs agO, It lEd to hugE street prOteSTs, anD tHe FracturEs in French socIeTy have not hEaLed.

faceboOK twitter PInterest Fillon with his WeLSh wife, PEneLope. PHotoGraph: XaviEr LAine/GeTty iMages

AT his raLly in lyOn oN tUesdaY NIgHt, lEaDing figureS FRom Those StReet ProtestS were present to applAUd hIm. “I will put the FamIly aT THe HeaRT oF All PuBLic POLitics,” Fillon proMised to cheErS. thE family was “CErtAiNly not a Place foR dangERous socIal experiMentation”, He Said – BY WhiCh he meant nEw adoptiOn rights fOR same-SEx CouplEs.

IN 2013, FilloN vOteD agaiNst the INtrOductIon of sAmE-sex maRriagE, aNd as a youNg MP in 1982 he voted against the Law thaT in efFecT legaliseD hoMOseXuality by SettIng an equal Age Of cOnsenT.

ThE CentrE-rigHT
 failures of the Sarkozy e ra. But he  hasbro ken  f reeof t he stigma that haun ted the former preside nt an d–  sty l ed  as “ Mr Aust e ri t y ” –  n ow  pr om i se s togofurther  than anyFre nc h leader has da red before , r aising the r eti rement  a ge, trans for minglabour laws a nd praisi ng Thatch e r’s Bri t a in  asa model success s t or y .

It is, howe ver, F il l on ’ s  so cia l conserva ti sm an d  “famil y  v a l u es” – including h is privatev iew s on a bo rti o n andhis d ri v e t o limit ado ptio n rightsfor sa m e-sex c o uples –  thathav e b ecom e  a  f ocu so f t h ebit t ersecond r ou nd  run- offt o w in t herigh t’s p residential n omi nati o n.
Hismoremode ra te ce ntrist  oppo ne nt, Alain Juppé , ha s accused  Fi ll onof  want i ng todra g F rance b ack int o  th ep a s t,  with “an extremel yt r ad itionali st vis i on ,n ot to sa ysli ghtl y retro grad e  v ision, o f ther ol eof wome n,  the f am ily  an d mar r iage ”. Heinsisted  Fill o n must clarify his positiono na b or t ion. 

F illon, whoabst a ined  whe n  p arl i ament  wasvo t in g  on a 2014 law on t he  equal ity o f men and wom en, has pr e v i ously sa id t h at as a Catholiche is  personall y  opposed  to a bortionbut would n ot try t o c han gethe 1 97 5 law that le g a lise dit in F ran ce. Fur iou s t hat  th eabortionissue wa sbe in gdra ggedi nto thede bat e,  he  said it was  “gro tesq ue  a n d r idiculo u s” t hathe  w as b ein g“bill ed a s  amedieva l reactio nar y ”.
Bo rn  in a t raditionallyCa tholic reg io n o f west e r n France , Fillon, 62, who withh is Wels h w ife r aise d his fiv e c hildre n i n  a 12t h-cent ury c ha tea u ,  hast h esup po rt of hard l i negroup sthat  oppose  France’s same-sex mar riage law. Wh entheS o ci ali s tg ove rn m ent i ntroduced the l egislation  t h re e years ag o , i tled tohuge st reetp rotests , and the  fracture sin F r e nch  society h ave nothealed.
F acebo o kTwitt erPinter es t F illon  withh isWelsh  wife,  P enelop e. Ph ot ograph:Xavier Laine/Getty Imag es

At  hisral ly in Lyo n o n  Tu esday nig ht,leading fi gur esfromtho s e str eetp ro tes t s wer e pr e sent to a p pl aud h im . “I will p u t the  fami lya t thehear t of all public p o litics,” Fillo n pr o m ise d t o  che er s. The familywas  “ c e rtainlyno t a place f or dange ro u s soc ial ex perime ntation ” ,  h e  said– by  wh ich he me ant  n e w adopt io nr ightsforsa me-sex  coupl e s.
I n  2013, Fillon vo ted a g a instt heintro du ction o f  sam e-sex marr iage, and a s a yo ungMP in  1982 h evotedaga in st the law that in e ffect  legali se d ho mos exuali ty b y setti ng a nequ al age of c on s en t. 
Th e ce ntre- ri ght
 failures_of the_Sarkozy era. But he_has broken_free_of the_stigma_that haunted the_former president and_– styled as “Mr_Austerity” – now_promises_to go further than any French leader has dared before, raising the retirement age,_transforming_labour laws_and_praising_Thatcher’s Britain as a model_success story.

It is, however, Fillon’s_social conservatism_and “family values” – including his private views_on_abortion and his_drive to limit adoption rights for same-sex couples –_that have become a focus of_the bitter second_round_run-off_to win the right’s_presidential nomination.

His more moderate centrist opponent,_Alain Juppé, has accused Fillon of_wanting to drag France back into the_past, with “an extremely traditionalist vision,_not to say slightly retrograde_vision, of_the role of women, the_family and marriage”._He insisted_Fillon must clarify_his position on abortion.

Fillon, who abstained_when parliament was_voting on a 2014 law on_the_equality of men_and_women,_has previously_said that as_a_Catholic he_is_personally opposed to abortion but would_not_try to change the 1975 law that_legalised it in France._Furious_that the abortion issue_was being dragged into the_debate, he said it was “grotesque_and ridiculous”_that he_was being “billed as a medieval reactionary”.

Born in a traditionally Catholic_region of western France, Fillon, 62,_who with his Welsh_wife raised_his_five children in_a_12th-century chateau,_has the support of hardline groups that_oppose France’s_same-sex marriage law. When the Socialist_government introduced the legislation_three_years ago, it led to huge_street protests, and the fractures in_French society have not healed.

Facebook_Twitter_Pinterest_Fillon with his Welsh wife,_Penelope. Photograph: Xavier Laine/Getty Images

At his_rally in Lyon_on Tuesday night, leading figures from those_street_protests were present to applaud him._“I_will put the family at the_heart_of_all public politics,” Fillon promised_to cheers. The family was “certainly_not a place for dangerous social experimentation”, he said_– by which_he meant new adoption rights_for_same-sex_couples.

In 2013, Fillon voted against the introduction of same-sex marriage,_and as_a young MP_in 1982 he voted against the law that in effect_legalised homosexuality by setting an equal age_of consent.

The centre-right