Right-winger Ciotti wins 1st round of French conservative party leadership vote

FILE PHOTO: Member of parliament Eric Ciotti of the French conservative party Les Republicains (LR) attends a debate to enshrine abortion rights in the constitution, at the National Assembly in Paris, France, November 24, 2022. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier

PARIS (Reuters) - Right-winger Eric Ciotti is in poll position to become the next leader of France's formerly heavyweight conservative Les Republicains (LR) party after winning a first round ballot of party members on Sunday.

Ciotti, who is on record as saying he wants to stop what he calls a "migratory invasion" of France, polled 42.7% and will face Bruno Retailleau, a senator who polled 34.5%, in a second-round runoff, LR said in a statement.