Probably to nobody's surprise Francois Hollande announced yesterday (Thursday 1st December) that he would not run again for President next year. His popularity ratings have been so low that it is unlikely he would win even his own party's nomination as candidate.
His win 5 years ago was a reaction to the previous 5 years of Nicholas Sarkozy who was blamed as so many other leaders were at that time for the 2008 banking crisis. But Sarkozy was also branded as too "bling bling", a man whose pursuit of personal glory and love of showiness was deemed "unpresidential".
The election of Hollande as a "normal president" had certain echoes, but he was undone by his failure to reduce unemployment as promised. In late 2016 there are more than 500000 extra unemployed compared to 2012. Added to that his faintly ridiculous amorous activities, including visiting his mistress Julie Gayet on the back of a scooter (having already split with his long time partner for Valerie Trierweiler) suggested he was not to be taken seriously.
The battle for succession in the PS is far from clear. Several former ministers have already declared they will run in a left primary and it is now likely that Prime Minister Manuel Valls will be a candidate. It is likely to be academic and they probably will be looking to 2022 after 5 years of either Francois Fillon or Marine le Pen.
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