Photo: AFPAFP · 22 Aug 2016, 09:20Published: 22 Aug 2016 09:20 GMT+02:00Former French economy minister Arnaud Montebourg on Sunday joined the race to become French president in next May's election, effectively signalling the start of the campaign season. "I am a candidate because it is impossible for me to support Francois Hollande," Montebourg told supporters in Burgundy. A supporter of protectionism to safeguard the French economy, Montebourg also said that as president he would pull France out of EU treaties that did not serve its interests. Hollande, whose approval ratings are the lowest of any French president in modern times, has said he will announce before the end of the year whether he will run again. Former president Nicolas Sarkozy is expected to throw his hat into the ring as the Republicans' candidate in the next few days.

Source: The Local August 21, 2016 16:41 UTC