BLOOMBERG.COM
French President Francois Hollande’s decision not to run for re-election paves the way for his more popular prime minister to enter the 2017 presidential race.
French President Francois Hollande’s decision not to run for re-election paves the way for his more popular prime minister to enter the 2017 presidential race.
In a hastily announced address from the Elysee Palace, the least popular French leader in modern history took himself out of the race. He said he was putting the country’s needs ahead of his personal ambition and warned against the danger of extremist movements and protectionism.
While Hollande didn’t say who should stand for the Socialist Party, the move clears the path for second-in-command Manuel Valls, who fares better than his boss in public opinion. He would still face an uphill struggle in a race with two established front runners: Francois Fillon from the center-right Republicans Party and Marine Le Pen from the anti-European Union National Front.
Read more>
Read more>