French former industry minister Arnaud Montebourg told supporters on Monday the country's left needed an "alternative programme" for next year's presidential elections, sending the clearest signal yet that he plans to be a contender, reports Reuters.
Ousted two years ago over his increasingly vocal criticism of François Hollande, Montebourg would be joining an already crowded field jostling to replace the unpopular Socialist president in May 2017.
"Now is the time to wake up, to converse, to gather together and develop an alternative programme for the country," Montebourg said at an outdoor gathering he holds each year to mark the Whit Monday holiday.
Hollande, whose approval ratings are the lowest of any French president in modern times, has been struggling to contain an open rebellion within his own party against economic reforms and some of the security measures taken in response to the Islamic State attacks in Paris.
He has not said whether he plans to stand for re-election.
If he bows out, prime minister Manuel Valls and Emmanuel Macron, Montebourg's ministerial successor, are seen as likely candidates from the party's reformist wing.
Read more of this report from Reuters.
See also Mediapart's coverage here.