French President Jacques Chirac has signaled he will probably not seek an unprecedented third term in this year's presidential elections.
The 74-year-old president said in a TV interview to be broadcast on Sunday that there is life after politics. In office since 1995, Mr. Chirac said he hoped to continue to serve France but "in another capacity."
As recently as last month, Mr. Chirac had indicated he was contemplating a new run at the presidency and would announce his intentions at a later date. If he were to run, he must declare his candidacy before mid-March for the elections in April.
Polls have shown that a large majority of the French do not want Mr. Chirac to run again. Mr. Chirac's popularity ratings are low, and many in the French electorate view him as old and out of touch.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
