Alain Juppé has said he will not run for French president in just 50 days’ time amid escalating pressure on the country’s right-wing candidate François Fillon to bow out of the race.

 

“I am not in a position to unify the party”, Mr Juppe said on Monday in Bordeaux. “Therefore I confirm that I will not be a candidate for the presidency.”

 

Mr Juppé was comprehensively defeated by Mr Fillon - also a former prime minister - in a contest for to be the Republican party candidate last year.

 

But he has emerged as a possible candidate to replace Mr Fillon after it was confirmed he will face a formal investigation over an embezzlement scandal.