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For the record, I know pretty much what every American does about French politics and their political system. Nothing. So, being a typical American, I shall now write extensively about it. Here are some of the details on Hollande\u2019s decision from France 24<\/a>:<\/p>\n French President Fran\u00e7ois Hollande said on Thursday he would not seek re-election next year, bowing to historically low approval ratings after a troubled term in power. <\/b>The withdrawal means the 62-year-old Socialist leader<\/a> is the first president of France<\/a>‘s fifth republic, founded in 1958, to step aside after only one term. <\/b><\/p>\n Usually they get dragged<\/i><\/span> voted out and Guillotined<\/i><\/span> by angry peasants<\/i><\/span> French voters when they are asked to actually…work, or something.<\/p>\n “I have decided that I will not be a candidate,” a stony-faced Hollande said in a solemn televised statement from the \u00c9lys\u00e9e Palace in Paris during which he defended his record. <\/b><\/p>\n He conceded that he was unable to unite his deeply divided Socialist Party<\/a> behind his candidacy ahead of the presidential election in April and May next year. <\/b><\/p>\n How bad do you have to be to get tossed by your own party? Even that fool Pelosi managed to quell the rebellion on her misrule as the Democrat Minority Leader in the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n Hollande’s approval ratings have 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.<\/b><\/p>\n Show me a Frenchman who doesn\u2019t have embarrassing things in his private life. His complete screw up of the French security system has allowed hundred of French citizens, as well as others, to be, basically slaughtered by Islamic terrorists. His government\u2019s basic response, as I understand it, was to \u201cGet used to it\u201d. Yeah that would anger me as well.<\/p>\n He is the most unpopular president in French polling history, a fact he tacitly acknowledged in his speech on Thursday. <\/b><\/p>\n “I am aware today of the risk that going down a route that would not gather sufficient support would entail, so I have decided not to be a candidate in the presidential election,” he said. <\/b><\/p>\n A new poll on Wednesday predicted he would win just seven percent of votes in the first round of next year’s election in April \u2013 strengthening Socialist critics who view him as a lame duck. <\/b><\/p>\n Voter surveys currently tip rightwing Les R\u00e9publicains<\/a> party candidate Fran\u00e7ois Fillon<\/a> to become the next president, with the far-right National Front candidate Marine Le Pen<\/a> seen as his closest challenger. <\/b><\/p>\n Now a little political lesson. In Europe, a person who is accused of being \u201cFar Right\u201d would be, in American terms, center left. When the Euroswine hear what American\u2019s consider to be right-wing, they freak out, and start looking for Nazi\u2019s under their beds. Of course they tend to forget that the Nazi\u2019s were Socialists, but that\u2019s another story.<\/p>\n But with the full range of candidates still unknown and the role of independents such as 38-year-old former economy minister Emmanuel Macron<\/a> difficult to predict, analysts urge caution about the forecasts. <\/b><\/p>\n Looks like someone has learned from the election of Donald Trump on the accuracy of polls these days.<\/p>\n Hollande’s withdrawal leaves the field open in the Socialist Party, which began accepting candidates on Thursday for a party primary race due on January 22 and 29. <\/b><\/p>\n Hmmm, I understand Obama is looking for work, as is Felonia von Pantsuit. Felonia has an advantage of a French style private life too. (Bribery) In any case, Hollande\u2019s administration was the perfect storm of epic failures.<\/p>\n France has faced three major terrorist attacks since January 2015 \u2013 first against the Charlie Hebdo<\/a> magazine, then in Paris in November and in Nice in July. <\/b><\/p>\n On economics, Hollande started with a leftist programme that included a wealth super-tax of 75 percent on top-earners but he shifted course mid-way through his term to embrace pro-business reforms, soon alienating grassroots supporters on the left. <\/b><\/p>\n I remember that. His 75 percent tax garnered pretty much nothing for the French Treasury. Why?? All the rich people voted with their feet and moved to Belgium.<\/p>\n And his colourful personal life has never been far from the headlines, leading his opponents to claim he has demeaned one of the most powerful political offices in Europe. <\/b>In January 2014, celebrity magazine Closer published pictures of him arriving on a scooter at an apartment near his official residence for secret trysts with a French actress, Julie Gayet<\/a><\/b>.<\/p>\n The revelations led to the break-up of Hollande’s relationship with partner Val\u00e9rie Trierweiler<\/a>, who went on to write an eviscerating book that claimed the president mocked poor people as “the toothless”. <\/b><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n