Former French president François Hollande has suggested he could return to frontline politics ahead of next year’s presidential election, telling supporters he believes he could once again “be useful” to France.
Speaking at a private gathering in the French Senate, Hollande said his previous experience as head of state would allow him to lead the country during a challenging political period.Hollande reportedly told supporters
I’ve been president before; I know what the job entails.
He added that voters would ultimately focus on who is best placed to lead France.
The 71-year-old has previously said he is preparing for the 2027 election but will decide later this year whether to formally enter the race.
Despite an improvement in his public image since leaving office in 2017, Hollande remains a long shot for the presidency.
Recent opinion polls place him below 10% of the vote, behind both radical-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon and centre-left MEP Raphaël Glucksmann.
Hollande left office with historically low approval ratings after a presidency that drew criticism from both the left and the right.
The Socialist Party is expected to select its presidential candidate through an internal primary in October.
Hollande, however, has indicated he does not intend to participate, instead appearing to hope that a weak Socialist campaign could create momentum for his return as an experienced alternative.
With Marine Le Pen widely expected to reach the second round, the contest for the remaining runoff place remains highly competitive across France’s left and centre-left political spectrum.
