"He is the worst nightmare for Ms Le Pen as he has no skeletons in his closet. He is not Sarkozy, who is more of a business candidate, he is not Juppe, who was too pro-centrist. Francois Fillon is very straight about his ideas and believes, he represents traditional French and is ready to address the issue of radicalism in France. He is one of few candidates who had no issues with justice and he has a good program that can unite the opposition," Mariani said.
According to Mariani, who supported Fillon from the very beginning, the former prime minister is the only candidate who can unite and prepare the center-right opposition to face the National Front and the ruling Socialist party in the presidential race.
"The latest results have shown that we have a true winner. His former rivals, such as Nicolas Sarkozy and Juppe, endorsed him. I am rather optimistic about our presidential campaign because Francois Fillon is a candidate who has absolutely no problem with his past," the lawmaker added.
He also noted that Fillon represents a new political leadership in France that advocates for new policies in regard to Russia and the Middle East as he sees the Islamic State jihadist group, outlawed in many countries, including Russia, as the biggest threat to France.
The French presidential elections will take place in April and May 2017. Fillon is expected to face Le Pen and a nominee of the ruling Socialist Party, who will be picked in January.
