(VOVworld) - France's former president Nicolas Sarkozy conceded defeat on Sunday in the race to choose the conservative candidate for next year's presidential election.

Former President Nicolas Sarkozy delivered a speech in early November.  (Photo: AP)

With 85 percent of votes counted, ex-prime ministers Francois Fillon and Bordeaux’s mayor Alain Juppe secured 44 percent and 28.3 percent respectively, advancing to the second round. Mr. Sarkozy got 21 percent.