Former French president François Hollande is actively testing the waters for a return to politics, appearing prominently at party gatherings and trade fairs as France enters its pre-election season ahead of the 2027 presidential vote. Hollande, who left the Élysée Palace (the French presidential residence) in 2017 with approval ratings as low as 4 percent — the worst of any modern French leader — says he will decide by December whether to formally enter the race. His revival reflects growing dissatisfaction with incumbent Emmanuel Macron and a fragmented centre-left field, with a recent poll showing 46 percent of left-leaning voters now view him favourably, the highest figure among potential left-wing candidates.