You're reading: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: French presidential rivals spar over Russia, Putin

French conservative presidential hopefuls Francois Fillon and Alain Juppe have traded blows over Russia in their final debate before a second-round primary, with Juppe criticizing his rival’s perceived bond with the Kremlin.

Referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent warm words about Fillon, the front-runner, and former prime minister, Juppe said during the televised debate that “this must be the first presidential election in which the Russian president chooses his candidate.”

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