On foreign policy, he has expressed his Russia-related stance, calling on Paris and Moscow to "sit down around the same table" to enhance bilateral ties and help to end war in Syria and Iraq.

Admitting his defeat, Juppe, 71, who had long been the polls' favorite, "congratulate Francois Fillon for his great victory."

"I support him and I wish him good luck for his presidential campaign and the victory in May," he told supporters after results were released.

His concession means the U.S.-style primary, the first ever held by French conservatives, had chosen Fillon to be the center-right's favorite to challenge the Socialist ruling party and to challenge a risk of mounting populism echoed by the far-right National Front party.

According to the center-right authority, turnout of the Sunday's runoff reached more than 2.9 million, 4.5 percent more than the first round and far beyond the party's previous expectation of two million.

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