French President Francois Hollande has announced that he will not seek re-election next year as he bowed to historically low approval ratings after a troubled five years in power.<br/><br/>The 62-year-old Socialist leader put a decisive end to speculation in a solemn televised statement from the Elysee Palace in Paris yesterday. Hollande's popularity has hit rock bottom after a term in office marked by U-turns on major policies, terror attacks, high unemployment and embarrassing revelations about his private life.<br/><br/>A new poll on Wednesday predicted he will win just 7 percent of votes in the first round of next year's election in April strengthening critics in the Socialist party who view him as a lame duck.<br/><br/>Voter surveys currently tip right wing Republicans party candidate Francois Fillon to win the election, with the far-right National Front candidate Marine Le Pen seen as his closest challenger.<br/><br/>Hollande's withdrawal leads the field open for France's divided ruling Socialist party which began accepting candidates today for a party primary race due on January 22 and 29.

French President Francois Hollande has announced that he will not seek re-election next year as he bowed to historically low approval ratings after a troubled five years in power.<br/><br/>The 62-year-old Socialist leader put a decisive end to speculation in a solemn televised statement from the Elysee Palace in Paris yesterday. Hollande's popularity has hit rock bottom after a term in office marked by U-turns on major policies, terror attacks, high unemployment and embarrassing revelations about his private life.<br/><br/>A new poll on Wednesday predicted he will win just 7 percent of votes in the first round of next year's election in April strengthening critics in the Socialist party who view him as a lame duck.<br/><br/>Voter surveys currently tip right wing Republicans party candidate Francois Fillon to win the election, with the far-right National Front candidate Marine Le Pen seen as his closest challenger.<br/><br/>Hollande's withdrawal leads the field open for France's divided ruling Socialist party which began accepting candidates today for a party primary race due on January 22 and 29.