The centre right parties will hold a primary election on 20th and 27th November to select a candidate for next year's presidential election. So far the maire of Bordeaux, Alain Juppé, has been steadily in the lead according to polls. His main rival is former president Nicholas Sarkozy, but Francois Fillon, who was Sarkozy's Prime Minister, has put in two impressive televised debates with his rivals. As a result he has gained 9 points to put him third with 20% of the intentions to vote. Juppé maintains his lead with 36%, Sarkozy has 26% and Fillon 20%. None of the other candidates tops 8%. Sarkozy was the big loser in Fillon's climb, losing 6%.
The main left wing parties have yet to choose a candidate and of course Le Pen and Melenchon have the backing of the extreme parties.
