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Francois Hollande declares he will not stand for a second term as president of France, according to BBC.

Hollande, the least popular French president since the second world war, has announced he will not run for a second term in office, The Guardian wrote.

With a satisfaction rating so low it recently dropped to just 4%, the Socialist president appeared emotional as he said in a live televised address from the Elysee palace that he would not attempt to run for a second term, conscious of the "risks" to the French left.

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Read alsoFrance's Fillon seen to beat Le Pen in presidential election runoff next MayThe question remains as to whether the prime minister Manuel Valls will now announce he will stand and take part in the Socialist primary race to choose its candidate in January.

The French presidential election takes place in April and May.