By  Trend

On Thursday night, President Francois Hollande addressed the nation asserting that he would not seek re-election, Sputnik Reported.

In a stunning move, the deeply unpopular president will become the first French president since the second world war not to seek a second term in office.

His current approval rating have hovered between single digits and the mid teens.

"I decided not to be a presidential candidate, not to seek resuming my mandate," Hollande said, addressing the French people in the Elysee Palace.

The French presidential election is scheduled for April and May 2017.