Let’s (not) shake on it! Pictures of international snubs prove François Hollande’s popularity problem

Images add insult to ignominy for the man who polls suggest is now the most unpopular French president in history

Awkward positioning: Francois Hollande goes for a handshake with Austrian President Heinz Fischer but misses the target (Philippe Wojazer /Reuters)

François Hollande has had a troubled term as France’s President. But despite his domestic problems he should expect that other world leaders might be prepared to shake him by the hand.

Now it appears he has had difficulty even getting that done.

A series of photographs showing a year of failed handshakes in 2013, first published in the Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant, stands as proof. Pictured with a range of world leaders from Iran’s new president, Hasan Rouhani, to EU Commission president Manuel Barroso, Mr Hollande can certainly be accused of failing to grasp the hand, if not the moment.

And it’s not just other world leaders Mr Hollande is failing to connect with – polls show he is now the most unpopular French president in history.