Scandal-hit French presidential candidate Francois Fillon said on Sunday he was staying in the

race but left the door open to talks with senior members of his The Republicans party who are increasingly anxious about his candidacy.



In an interview with France 2 television, Fillon was asked directly whether he would stand down. "The answer is no," he said. "I see no reason to do that."



He went on to say, though, that he was open to discussions. "I am not autistic," he said, "I want to convince my friends that my program is the only one that can bring about recovery

for the country."



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