Francois Fillon, the center-right candidate in France's presidential election as of Sunday and pollsters' favorite to win that vote next May, is a true social and economic conservative who wants to cut half a million public sector jobs.
Behind still-boyish looks and a mild, refined demeanor, the 62-year-old who won his The Republicans party primaries, says he will slash the cost of government.
An admirer of late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Fillon, who has spent half his life in politics, goes to battle against an increasingly popular far right led by Marine Le Pen and the left of unpopular current President Francois Hollande.