Off the wire
• Spain detains 30 in operation targetting illegal firearms  • Brazil seeks investment opportunities in Iran's oil sector: official  • Putin congratulates Mirziyoyev on election as Uzbekistan's president  • Bulgaria breaks up illegal immigrant smuggling ring  • Ceasefire in Syria's Aleppo only possible after Russia-U.S. deal: Russian FM  • Belgium's French-speaking gov't head wants new framework for European treaty negotiations  • China urges U.S. to stop groundless accusations against Chinese firm  • Roundup: Int'l survey shows support for humanitarian law, mixed views towards torture  • 2nd LD Writethru: Uzbek Prime Minister Mirziyoyev elected president: Central Election Commission  • Japanese PM to visit Pearl Harbor to strengthen Japan-U.S. alliance  
You are here: 　 Home

French PM to announce candidacy for 2017 presidential election: report

Xinhua, December 5, 2016 Adjust font size:

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls is to announce his bid for the 2017 presidential election on Monday, according to local reports.

A statement released by his office said Valls would make an address at 6:30 p.m. local time (1730 GMT) at Evry town hall in south Paris.

Local media said the prime minister would unveil his decision to join the competition of left-wing primary next month to book a ticket for the Elysee Palace.

Speaking to Radio France Info, government spokesperson Stephane Le Foll said Valls' likely candidacy was "not a surprise."

In a recent interview, Valls had raised prospects of his taking part in the election after President Francois Hollande's declining popularity forced the ruling Socialist camp to seek a candidate able to get the wind back in their sails.

"The Left could get pulverised during the evening of the first round (of presidential election)," Valls warned, but added that "whatever happens, the best interests of the country will influence my decision," he added.

Valls' widely-anticipated move towards the Elysee Palace was further cemented after Hollande announced he was bowing out of the presidential race.

An ifop survey for Le Journal de Dimanche issued on Sunday showed the majority of socialist followers backed Valls bid to win the party ticket for presidential election.

Valls was named the chief of Hollande's executive team in 2014.

Five months ahead of the presidential election, the 54-year-old centrist premier has to unite the ranks of deeply divided left-wing parties and build momentum to increase the parties' chances of challenging conservative candidate Francois Fillon and Marine Le Pen, president of the far-right National Front party.

There are seven declared contenders for the primaries, including former ministers Aranud Montebourg and Benoit Hamon.

Ex-economy minister Emmanuel Macron and six other candidates have launched their own campaign, a fact likely to splinter votes and pulverize the Left parties' hope to maintain power in 2017.

Candidates have to submit their bid before Dec. 15. The two-round left-wing primaries are scheduled for Jan. 22 and 29. Endit