Hollande won’t seek second term as president

French President Francois Hollande said that he would not run for re-election, leaving the leftist field wide open ahead of next year’s vote in which the far right is expected to poll strongly. Hollande, who announced his decision in a hastily scheduled televised address to the nation, became the first leader in recent French history […]

French President Francois Hollande said that he would not run for re-election, leaving the leftist field wide open ahead of next year’s vote in which the far right is expected to poll strongly.

Hollande, who announced his decision in a hastily scheduled televised address to the nation, became the first leader in recent French history not to run for a second term.

He said he could not allow his already deeply divided leftist ranks to explode by running. That would end all hope for a victory in next spring’s elections, paving the way for a win by conservatives, or even the far right.