MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Francois Fillon, the winner of the first round of The Republicans party primaries, could narrow differences between Europe and Russia if he becomes France’s next president, the former French defense minister and a lawmaker from The Republicans party told Sputnik.
"An understanding with Russia is in the interest of right-wing voters," Gerard Longuet said. "Francois Fillon would use France’s diplomatic authority to try to reach an agreement between Europe and Russia."
Longuet, who served in the same cabinet as then Prime Minister Fillion during Nicolas Sarkozy’s presidency, said he had been pinning hopes on Fillon since the start of his campaign.
"We want this agreement [with Russia]. People around Fillon think Russia should be Europe’s partner, it is not about perpetuating a cold war," he continued.
Francois Fillon won the first round of the Republicans primaries last Sunday and will face second-placed Alain Juppe in the runoff this weekend. Fillon is leading in the polls, and Longuet predicted that whoever won this Sunday’s vote would most probably become the next president.
