François Hollande - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. François Hollande was born on August 12, 1954, in Rouen, France. He grew up in a middle-class family and studied at the Institut d'études politiques de Paris and the École nationale d'administration.
- 2. Hollande is a member of the French Socialist Party and served as the President of France from 2012 to 2017. He was the first Socialist president since François Mitterrand in the 1980s.
- 3. Before becoming president, Hollande held various political positions, including serving as the Mayor of Tulle and as a Member of Parliament for the Corrèze department.
- 4. During his presidency, Hollande faced numerous challenges, including high unemployment rates, economic stagnation, and security threats from terrorism. He also implemented several reforms, such as legalizing same-sex marriage and introducing a 75% income tax on the wealthiest individuals.
- 5. Hollande's popularity declined during his presidency, and he chose not to seek re-election in 2017. He was succeeded by Emmanuel Macron, who went on to win the presidential election.
- 6. After leaving office, Hollande has remained active in politics and has published several books, including a memoir titled "Lessons of Power" in which he reflects on his presidency and the challenges he faced.
- 7. Hollande is known for his moderate and pragmatic approach to politics. He has been criticized by some on the left for not being radical enough in his policies, while others on the right have accused him of being too soft on issues such as immigration and security.
- 8. Hollande has been a vocal advocate for European unity and cooperation. He has called for greater integration within the European Union and has been critical of nationalist and populist movements that seek to undermine the EU.
- 9. In his personal life, Hollande has been linked to several high-profile relationships, including his partnership with journalist Valerie Trierweiler during his presidency. He has four children from previous relationships.
- 10. Despite facing criticism and challenges during his presidency, François Hollande remains an influential figure in French politics and continues to be involved in public discourse on a variety of issues.