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Fillon Blasts French Gov't Over Failure to Ensure Calm Presidential Elections

© REUTERS / Benoit TessierFrancois Fillon, former French prime minister, member of The Republicans political party and 2017 presidential candidate of the French centre-right, speaks during a news conference about a "fake job" scandal at his campaign headquarters in Paris, France, February 6, 2017
Francois Fillon, former French prime minister, member of The Republicans political party and 2017 presidential candidate of the French centre-right, speaks during a news conference about a fake job scandal at his campaign headquarters in Paris, France, February 6, 2017 - Sputnik International
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Francois Fillon has accused the country's government of failing to ensure the necessary conditions for all candidates to campaign peacefully.

Figures of Francois Fillon (L), former French prime minister, member of The Republicans political party and 2017 presidential candidate of the French centre-right, and French National Front leader Marine Le Pen are paraded through the crowd during the 133rd Carnival parade, the first major event since the city was attacked during Bastille Day celebrations last year in Nice, France, February 11, 2017 - Sputnik International
French Justice Minister Rules Out Pause in Fillon, Le Pen Probes
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — French presidential candidate from The Republicans party Francois Fillon has accused the country's government of failing to ensure the necessary conditions for all candidates to campaign peacefully in the run up to the upcoming election.

"Having served as a prime minister, having been chosen by France, I solemnly accuse the prime minister and the government of failing to ensure the right conditions for a placid exercise in democracy," Fillon said in a statement on his website on Sunday.

The candidate recalled the recent events in Toulon, where dozens of people harassed another candidate, Emmanuel Macron, as well as disorder caused during National Front (FN) party leader Marine Le Pen's visit to Nantes.

Around a dozen police officers were injured in clashes in Nantes on Sunday.

Presidential candidates should have a right to express their opinions freely, he stressed, adding that the government should undertake measures against "marauders" and any enemies of democracy seeking to upset the pre-election campaigns.

"It is essential for the government to ensure conditions for successful elections. It is necessary to respect the rule of law," Fillon said.

French presidential elections are due to take place in two rounds on April 23 and May 7.

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