Macron - behind you: the president who broke record lows of popularity on his way to a comeback

François Hollande, former president of France, is considering a political comeback and a run for the presidency in 2027. In an interview with the magazine 'Le Point', he said he will decide in December whether to run, provided he can unite political forces around him. Hollande published a book with 80 policy proposals, including raising the retirement age to 63 and tax changes, and is also appealing to centrist voters. His popularity low point in polls: only 4% satisfied with his performance in 2016.

François Hollande, former president of France, is considering a political comeback and a run for the presidency in 2027. In an interview with the French magazine 'Le Point', Hollande explained that his decision depends on the possibility of uniting political forces around him. According to him, if he becomes convinced in December that circumstances require his candidacy and that a common front can be formed, he will draw the necessary conclusions. Hollande clarified that he does not intend to participate in the left's primaries, because in his view they divide the camp rather than unite it. In early September, Hollande published a new book, "To Unite: A New World, A New Left", which includes 80 policy proposals. Among other things, he proposes setting the retirement age in France at 63, making changes to the tax system, and gradually increasing VAT to fund social services. Some of his proposals go beyond the traditional positions of the Socialist Party and are intended to appeal to centrist voters as well. In October 2016, a broad survey by the CEVIPOF political research institute, covering more than 17,000 respondents, found that only four percent of French people were satisfied with his performance. In another survey, conducted by the Elabe institute in March of that year, only 17 percent expressed confidence in his ability to deal with France's problems, compared to 80 percent who did not trust him. In light of his standing in the polls, Hollande announced in December 2016 that he would not seek a second term, an unusual step for a sitting president. Now, nearly a decade after leaving the Élysée Palace, Hollande is trying to return to the center of the political stage. He serves as a member of the National Assembly for the Corrèze constituency, conducts tours across France, and attempts to build a broad political camp around him. However, his ambitions stir controversy within the French left, where several figures are seeking to run for the presidency. His final decision is expected in about two months.