French Prime Minister announces resignation to take part in presidential race

On December 5, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls officially announced his intention to participate in the country's presidential elections in 2017. He said he would step down as prime minister on December 6 to focus on the campaign, the Associated Press reports.

Waltz added that he considers his candidacy a chance to reconcile the divided French left, reports AFP.

• The primaries of the Socialist Party, from which Manuel Valls intends to run, are to be held in January 2017. Earlier, French President Francois Hollande refused to participate in the elections. Waltz is considered the most likely contender for the role of the Socialist candidate in the upcoming elections.
• At the end of November, the French right and centrists held their primaries, the victory was won by former Prime Minister Francois Fillon. In addition to Fillon, Marine Le Pen (National Front), former Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron and Jean-Luc Mélenchon (Left) are planning to participate in the presidential elections.