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Sarkozy declares presidential bid Sarkozy declares presidential bid
(20 minutes later)
France's Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy has declared his intention to run for the presidency next year. France's Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy has declared his intention to run for the presidency next April.
The announcement has been widely expected, and Mr Sarkozy is the favourite to win the election, according to recent opinion polls.The announcement has been widely expected, and Mr Sarkozy is the favourite to win the election, according to recent opinion polls.
His centre-right UMP party is due to select its candidate in January.His centre-right UMP party is due to select its candidate in January.
Whoever wins that race - and President Jacques Chirac has not ruled himself out - will face the Socialist Party candidate Segolene Royal.Whoever wins that race - and President Jacques Chirac has not ruled himself out - will face the Socialist Party candidate Segolene Royal.
In an interview due to appear in the French press on Thursday he was asked whether he was a candidate in the election. Ms Royal has said she wants to write a new page in French history"I feel I have the strength, the energy and the desire to propose a different view of France," Mr Sarkozy said in an interview to be published in the French press on Thursday.
"My answer is yes," he said. "I have the ambition to develop a new relationship with the French based on two words: confidence and respect. Confidence in pledges made and respect for every Frenchman considered individually," Mr Sarkozy said.
Both Mr Sarkozy and Ms Royal have promised to reverse what many people see as a feeling of decline in France.
This is a country that for many has lost its way, the BBC's Clive Myrie in Paris says.
With its rejection of a new constitution for Europe, stagnant economy, stubbornly high unemployment and diminishing role on the world stage, something has got to give, our correspondent says.
Both contenders are in their fifties. Whoever wins the election, set for 22 April, will become the first president of France born after World War II.
The election campaign will officially get under way on 9 April.
President Chirac's five-year term expires in mid-May.