Economics
Hollande’s Exit Gives Valls Space to Seek French Presidency
- Socialist Valls faces tough fight against Fillon and Le Pen
- Hollande warns against extremist movements and protectionism
France Becomes Battleground for Protest Vote
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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.