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The Republicans, led by François Fillon, represented the center-right in the 2017 French presidential election. Fillon, a former Prime Minister, campaigned on a platform of economic liberalism and social conservatism. Despite being the frontrunner in the early stages of the campaign, Fillon's candidacy was damaged by a financial scandal involving his wife. He ultimately lost in the first round of voting, finishing third behind Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen.