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| Sarkozy announces bid for French presidency | Sarkozy announces bid for French presidency |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has formally announced he will once again run for the country's highest office. | Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has formally announced he will once again run for the country's highest office. |
| "I have decided to be a candidate in the 2017 presidential election,” Sarkozy wrote in an extract of a book released on his Facebook and Twitter accounts on Monday. | "I have decided to be a candidate in the 2017 presidential election,” Sarkozy wrote in an extract of a book released on his Facebook and Twitter accounts on Monday. |
| "I've felt I had the force to wage this battle at such a tormented time of history,” he added. | "I've felt I had the force to wage this battle at such a tormented time of history,” he added. |
| The conservative politician, 61, is expected to run a campaign based on hardline ideas on immigration and security, particularly following recent terrorist attacks in the country, AP reported. | The conservative politician, 61, is expected to run a campaign based on hardline ideas on immigration and security, particularly following recent terrorist attacks in the country, AP reported. |
| However, he must first win the primaries organized by the French right in November, where he will face rival Alain Juppe, the former prime minister who is currently favorite in the polls. | However, he must first win the primaries organized by the French right in November, where he will face rival Alain Juppe, the former prime minister who is currently favorite in the polls. |
| Sarkozy served as president of France from 2007 to 2012, before losing his position to Francois Hollande, who beat the incumbent by a margin of 51.6 percent to 48.4 percent. | |
| Popular opinion is largely divided throughout France when it comes to Sarkozy, whose politics and personal life with wife Carla Bruni – a former model – both landed him in the headlines during his time in office. | Popular opinion is largely divided throughout France when it comes to Sarkozy, whose politics and personal life with wife Carla Bruni – a former model – both landed him in the headlines during his time in office. |
| Sarkozy was among the first heads of state to demand the resignation of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, and France was the first country in the world to recognize the National Transitional Council as the legitimate government of Libya during the country's crisis in 2011. French fighter planes conducted the first military strikes against Gaddafi's forces. | Sarkozy was among the first heads of state to demand the resignation of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, and France was the first country in the world to recognize the National Transitional Council as the legitimate government of Libya during the country's crisis in 2011. French fighter planes conducted the first military strikes against Gaddafi's forces. |
| When it comes to Russia, Sarkozy called himself a “friend” of the country while on a visit to Moscow last year. He called on Europe to strengthen dialogue with Russia during the same visit. | When it comes to Russia, Sarkozy called himself a “friend” of the country while on a visit to Moscow last year. He called on Europe to strengthen dialogue with Russia during the same visit. |
| He also spoke out against Paris' cancelation of the French-Russian Mistral ship deal, with a member of his delegation during the visit saying: “He [Sarkozy] said it was a great mistake, he said it was a completely bad thing for France, for relations with Russia because when we sign a contract, we fulfill it." | He also spoke out against Paris' cancelation of the French-Russian Mistral ship deal, with a member of his delegation during the visit saying: “He [Sarkozy] said it was a great mistake, he said it was a completely bad thing for France, for relations with Russia because when we sign a contract, we fulfill it." |
| The deal was made under Sarkozy's leadership in 2011, but was canceled by France, which cited Moscow's alleged participation in the Ukraine conflict – an accusation which Moscow has repeatedly denied. | The deal was made under Sarkozy's leadership in 2011, but was canceled by France, which cited Moscow's alleged participation in the Ukraine conflict – an accusation which Moscow has repeatedly denied. |
| In June, Sarkozy said that the West and Russia should lift sanctions to clear the way for a civilized diplomatic effort, but believes that Russia should act first because it is “the strongest player.” | In June, Sarkozy said that the West and Russia should lift sanctions to clear the way for a civilized diplomatic effort, but believes that Russia should act first because it is “the strongest player.” |
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