Accessibility links

Breaking News

French President Hollande Says He Won't Seek Reelection


French President Francois Hollande
French President Francois Hollande

French President Francois Hollande says he will not seek the nomination from his Socialist Party to run for the presidency in April 2017.

With opinion polls showing that Hollande is deeply unpopular, he said on December 1 that he wants to give his Socialist Party a chance to win "against conservatism and extremism."

Prime Minister Manuel Valls is widely expected to be the front-runner in the Socialist Party primary in January.

France's conservative Les Republicains party has chosen former Prime Minister Francois Fillon as its presidential candidate.

Political analysts already are predicting that the first-round vote in April will lead to a runoff in May between Fillon and France's far-right leader Marine Le Pen.

Based on reporting by AFP, AP, Reuters, and dpa

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG