France began on Sunday a vote to choose the rightwing candidate likely to face the far-right Marine Le Pen in next spring’s presidential election.

Seven candidates are competing in the first round of the primary, including three leading contenders – two former prime ministers, Alain Juppé and François Fillon, and the former president Nicolas Sarkozy.

It is the first such primary organized by France’s conservatives, making the outcome hard to predict. Candidates previously were designated internally.

Results from the first-round voting are expected late Sunday.

The second round run-off will take place November 27.

Source: MENA