FRANCE — (CNN) France’s President Francois Hollande confirmed Thursday he will not seek a second term in office.

French voters will go to the polls in April and May 2017, but Hollande, who has been beset by low popularity ratings, says he will not stand for re-election.

“I am speaking to you this evening to inform you of the decision I have taken in view of the forthcoming presidential election,” he said. “I have decided not to be a candidate in the presidential election.”
Hollande’s Socialist Party will now have to find a candidate to run against Francois Fillon, of the right-wing Republican Party, and Marine Le Pen, of the far-right Front National.

The-CNN-Wire ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved. (photo: Flickr, Jean-Marc Ayrault)