Former French president Francois Hollande has surprised many by announcing his intention to make a political comeback. The socialist revealed that he wants to run as a candidate in the parliamentary elections in the Corrèze department. He described his decision as “exceptional” given the current political situation.
Hollande, who served as president between 2012 and 2017, did not seek re-election after completing his term. During his presidency, he faced low approval ratings according to polls. His announcement to return to politics has received a lukewarm response from his own Parti Socialiste, with a party official acknowledging his intentions without much enthusiasm.
It is not uncommon for former French presidents to run in parliamentary elections, with Valery Giscard d’Estaing successfully doing so in the 1980s after losing a presidential election. Whether Hollande will be able to secure a seat in parliament will be determined in the upcoming weeks, as French citizens are set to go to the polls on June 30 and July 7.
The decision to hold parliamentary elections was made by current president Emmanuel Macron following a strong performance by Marine Le Pen’s right-wing nationalist RN party in the European elections. The RN party is currently leading in the polls for the parliamentary elections. Hollande has expressed his support for a potential alliance of leftist parties aiming to prevent the far right from gaining power.