In the heavily secular country, Catholic Francois Fillon has been the only one of 11 candidates to speak openly about his religion. It may be keeping his scandal-tinged campaign afloat.
Preliminary charges center on allegations the center-right presidential nominee paid his wife and children for fake jobs with public funds. Once the favorite, Fillon has faltered under the scandal.
Conservative candidate Francois Fillon and far-right candidate Marine Le Pen are both accused of misusing public funds. Fillon allegedly hired his wife for what was essentially a sham position.
This marks the first time in 60 years that a sitting French president hasn't sought re-election. Hollande is extremely unpopular, and this opens up the candidate field for his Socialist Party.
Fillon defeated the more moderate Alain Juppé. Fillon will face candidates from the left and the extreme right in the French presidential election next May.
!["I'm getting echoes that a large proportion of voters – maybe 50 percent – could be tempted to vote for [Marine] Le Pen," says Mayor Philippe Hamon, who represents a small, center-right party. Hamon says it's a worrying sign.](https://knpr.org/sites/default/files/public/styles/thumbnail/public/images/npr-story/520023901_2004414849.jpg?itok=Sgs5nLAc "Eleanor Beardsley, NPR")
