The former President of the Republic took part in the “Past, present, future” exercise on franceinfo social networks. The opportunity to better understand how your experiences inform your current life, but also your future.
He says he is immersed in a sort of “retirement”, which he still actively pursues. In “Past, present, future”, broadcast on franceinfo social networks, former President of the Republic François Hollande dissects the timeline of his life. From his beginnings in politics to the election of his former minister, Emmanuel Macron, via the attacks of November 13, he looks back on his rise to the top of the State, discusses his current affairs and answers questions about his future.
Looking in the rearview mirror for François Hollande cannot be done without dwelling on the department of Corrèze, the land he loves, which elected him deputy in 1981. Nostalgic, he remembers “friends” that he got used to it before adding that he “does not conceive of political action outside a territory”.
The rest of his career is well known: François Hollande was elected President of the Republic on May 6, 2012. His mandate began with a major measure: the adoption of marriage for all, on April 23, 2013 at the National Assembly. A source of pride for the former president, who evokes “a great law”.
The “horror” of November 13, 2015
At the end of 2015, France was hit by a series of terrorist attacks, from lively neighborhoods in eastern Paris to the surroundings of the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. At the mention of these events, François Hollande’s face becomes darker, his tone more serious.
“It was a horror”he summarizes when returning to the attacks of November 13, 2015. He then remembers the speech he had to make that night. “I have never made such an important speech”he confides.
The former head of state also discusses his refusal to run for a second term in the 2017 presidential election. This is a first for a president under the Fifth Republic. – a decision that he admits to having “regretted” afterwards. An annoyance quickly swept away “because we cannot live with regrets, we must live with projects”he assures, more enthusiastically.
“I fight as if I were still 20 years old”
“Living with projects”, for François Hollande, means moving forward. But what is the life of a retired president like? If he assures that he does not harbor resentment towards Emmanuel Macron, he remains critical of the current President of the Republic. And he has little more sympathy for the opposition. “It is not the extreme left that can become the majority,” he tackles in particular.
In addition to political comments, François Hollande is full of questions. “What is the use of a former President of the Republic? To pass on his experience”he explains. And this is what he is working to do, particularly with regard to young people, through his foundation La France s’engage. While dreaming of seeing the Socialist Party, which he led for eleven years, regain its former grandeur.
Asked about a potential candidacy for the 2027 presidential election, the former tenant of the Elysée is more reserved and prefers to answer that he retains a certain passion. “I fight as if I were still 20 years old”he assures.