September 14, 2016 - 16:53 AMT
France’s Hollande confirmed to run for President in 2017 race

Incumbent French President Francois Hollande will undoubtedly run for president in 2017, Didier Guillaume, the head of the Socialist group in the upper house of the country's parliament, said Wednesday, September 14, Sputnik reports.

"He will run for president in 2017… It's for sure. He will run for president because France needs him," Guillaume told the Europe 1 broadcaster in an interview.

Earlier in September, 85 percent French citizens polled by French Institute of Public Opinion (IFOP) spoke up against Hollande's possible second presidential term, yet almost three quarters of respondents believed that he would seek nomination for presidency in his party anyway.

Two-round presidential elections will be held in France in April and May 2017.