François Hollande does not rule out running in France's presidential election

Former French President François Hollande has not ruled out running for president again.

He said this in an interview with La Repubblica.

According to him, he could run again only under «exceptional circumstances,» if he were confident that he would win in the second round.

«I cannot imagine running just to make an appearance in the first round, but rather to reach the second round and win the election. It is on the basis of this possibility that I will make my decision,» the former president said.

The 72-year-old former head of state declined to take part in the primaries of the social democratic forces. In his words, primaries «divide far more than they unite,» and he considered holding them in the fall too early.

In July, Le Monde wrote that Hollande did not rule out putting forward his own candidacy if the candidate chosen in the primaries began losing support in the polls.

Hollande was president of France from 2012 to 2017.

France's presidential election will be held in 2027: the first round is scheduled for April 18, and the second for May 2. Both party candidates and self-nominated candidates may take part in the election.

Source: RBC