France: Hollande to run for 2017 presidential election

Guillaume told newsmen that even after Hollande faced a term overshadowed by terrorism and other major crises, “France needs him.’’

He added that the president would make an official announcement in December or January.

Struggling with a persistent rise in jobless claims and other social strains, Hollande said in a recent interview that he would announce by the end of the year whether he would run again.

He stated that he would not seek a second term if he failed to lower a long-term rise in unemployment which currently stood at 9.9 per cent.

Meanwhile, polls have shown that the Socialist leader would be eliminated in the first round of the next election regardless of the rival candidates that face him.