France's Hollande Not to Seek 2nd Term

French President François Hollande announced on Thursday he would not look for another term of office.

Amid historically low approval ratings, the Socialist leader said in a televised address he would "not be a candidate" in the vote next year.

Hollande thus became the first President not to seek reelection since the Fifth Republic was established in 1958.

Terror attacks, inability to get the economy back on track, and controversial developments in his private life made the head of state's rating plummet.

The election is due in April. A recent poll projected his support at just seven percent in the first round if he won.