Hollande publishes policy book but delays decision on presidential run

Former French President François Hollande released a book on Thursday outlining 80 policy proposals for France, but said he will wait until December to decide whether to run for office again. The book, titled "Unite. New World, New Left," includes proposals that diverge from his Socialist Party, such as setting the retirement age at 63 and raising VAT to offset wage increases, while he skips the October left-wing primary. Hollande, who did not seek a second term in 2017 due to low approval ratings, calls for unity against extremism and stronger European autonomy, though observers note his ideas now lean centrist or even right-wing.