By JAMES KANTER and RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA PARIS — François Fillon, the conservative candidate for the French presidency, has been a champion of the free market, a critic of the European Union and a defender of the French language.

By J. D. Longstreet The Flemish Nationalists, in Belgium, have thwarted the ascent of a secessionist party in the Belgian elections. The Flemish Nationalists, who are the largest party in the Flemish region of Belgium, have been able to keep the secessionist party, the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), from gaining a majority in the Flemish parliament.

The European Union is holding its first-ever direct elections for the European Parliament. The results will determine the direction of the 27-nation bloc for the next five years.