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Sarkozy declares presidential bid Sarkozy declares presidential bid
(about 3 hours later)
France's Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy has declared his intention to run for the presidency next April.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 had 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 and President Jacques Chirac is not expected to seek a third term.His centre-right UMP party is due to select its candidate in January and President Jacques Chirac is not expected to seek a third term.
Whoever wins the UMP's race will face the Socialist Party's Segolene Royal.Whoever wins the UMP's race will face the Socialist Party's Segolene Royal.
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 a number of regional newspapers on Thursday. "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 a number of regional newspapers on Thursday.
"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.""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."
A new approach
Both Mr Sarkozy and Ms Royal have promised to reverse what many people see as a feeling of decline in France.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. Ms Royal has said she wants to write a new page in French historyMr Sarkozy has been dubbed the French Margaret Thatcher, someone who will shake up the country, says the BBC's Clive Myrie, in Paris.
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. For many people France has been in the doldrums during the Chirac years, our correspondent says, with a stuttering economy and diminishing stature in Europe and the world.
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. Mr Sarkozy will offer UMP members an alternative to candidates from the Chirac wing of the party - people like Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, or Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie.
He is thought to have the backing of about 75% of the UMP's membership, which stands at about 300,000.
Both Mr Sarkozy and Ms Royal 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.The election campaign will officially get under way on 9 April.
President Chirac's five-year term expires in mid-May. He is not expected to run for a third term.President Chirac's five-year term expires in mid-May. He is not expected to run for a third term.