Francois Hollande says he will not stand for re-election as French president

Frances President Francois Hollande announced in a surprise televised address Thursday that he would not seek a second term in next years presidential election, acknowledging that his personal unpopularity might cost his Socialist party the Elysee.I have decided not to be a candidate in the presidential election, Hollande said in the prime time slot, adding that he hoped by stepping aside to give the Socialists a chance to win against conservatism and, worse still, extremism.More in this report by Themis Kallos