France’s Fillon Defiant Ahead of His Party’s Meeting on Candidacy

Presidential contender derailed by corruption allegations
Party officials discuss Juppe as replacement candidate

Francois Fillon in Paris on March 5.
Photographer: Geoffroy Van der Hasselt/AFP via Getty Images

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By Anne Swardson and Geraldine Amiel

March 5, 2017 at 11:01 PM UTC

Updated on

March 6, 2017 at 8:04 AM UTC

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Francois Fillon’s vow to stay in the French presidential race will be tested Monday as party chieftains gather to consider his fate amid a persistent corruption scandal.

The leadership of the center-right Republican party is to meet at its Paris headquarters to discuss Fillon’s future after potential charges of embezzlement undermined his campaign and caused dozens of his top supporters to withdraw their backing. Fillon said Sunday night that he was staying in the race, after widespread speculation that he would pull out.