Nicolas Sarkozy’s defeat in the French Republican primary Sunday night could mean a reshuffling of priorities on the center right of French politics.The race will now be between two former prime ministers, Alain Juppe and Francois Fillon, and the winner will then have to lead the mainstream right in what is set to be a decisive moment for France next year. Fillon’s decisive and surprising victory in the first round could demonstrate that Juppé’s more conciliatory tone has failed. With over 44% of the vote, Fillon may appear to many as a moderate compared to Sarkozy, but his neoliberal views — coupled with a very conservative approach to societal matters, particularly with regard to identity, immigration and Islam — should allow him to tap into the electorate of his defeated opponents. It was a strong sign that Sarkozy announced he would vote for Fillon as he conceded.

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