On Tuesday, French Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron announced his resignation. There was media speculation that the move was timed to clear the way for a presidential bid, as Macron said in his resignation speech that he wanted to begin a new chapter in political struggle and bring changes to France "already next year."
"This [resignation] will not prevent Francois Hollande from running for office," Le Foll was quoted as saying by the radio station Europe1, adding that the incumbent president would announce his decision "at the end of December."
The French presidential elections are scheduled to be held in the spring of 2017. A number of French politicians have announced their intention to run for president, including ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy and former Economy Minister Arnaud Montebourg.
The presidential elections will be followed by parliamentary elections, which are scheduled for June 11 and June 18, 2017.
