Unpopular Hollande doomed by failure of jobs promise


French President Francois Hollande attends a military ceremony at the Hotel des Invalides in Paris, France, November 29, 2016. Picture taken November 29, 2016. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer/File Photo

PARIS (Reuters) - Francois Hollande staked his political fate on a promise to bring down unemployment, and it was his failure to turn around the economy that made him France's most unpopular president ever.

In a glum address from the Elysee Palace on Thursday, Hollande became the first modern French head of state not to seek re-election, acknowledging he lacked the support to win.

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