Sarkozy Finds Fans in Renaming New French 'Republicans' Party

Members of France's center-right opposition party overwhelmingly supported former French President Nicolas Sarkozy's decision to rename the french opposition, 'the republicans'. The name's popularity among supporters is a blow to conservative rivals ahead of the 2017 presidential election.
Sarkozy turned down critics who say the rebranding is an attempt by the right to usurp the nation's values. He stood by his decision as about 8 out of 10 of the party's more than 210,000 members backed the name change from the clunkier Union for a Popular Movement.
Party members booed His highest profile center-right challengers Alain Juppe and Francois Fillon as they stepped on to the stage.