PARIS, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Thursday Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila's decision not to seek a third term in office, reiterating France's support to local authorities to hold a transparent and free election.

"France, which has constantly stood alongside the Democratic Republic of the Congo, pays tribute to President Kabila's action for the unity and integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo," Macron's office said in a statement.

"Alongside its partners, in particular the African Union, regional organizations and neighboring countries, France stands ready to support the Congolese authorities' efforts to hold a free, transparent and inclusive ballot on Dec. 23," it added.

On Wednesday, the Congolese presidency announced that Kabila would not run for re-election at the end of the year and that former interior minister Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, 57, had been designated as the ruling coalition's candidate for the presidency.

Shadary's nomination as the presidential candidate ends several months of rumors about the future of Kabila, whose second and last term expired at the end of 2016.

Kabila, 47, has been in office since 2001, replacing his assassinated father Laurent Kabila.