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Nicolas Sarkozy announces return to French politics Nicolas Sarkozy announces return to French politics
(35 minutes later)
Former President Nicolas Sarkozy has announced he is returning to French politics in a statement on his Facebook page.Former President Nicolas Sarkozy has announced he is returning to French politics in a statement on his Facebook page.
He said he would be a candidate to lead the opposition UMP party - widely seen as a first step for running again for the presidency in 2017.He said he would be a candidate to lead the opposition UMP party - widely seen as a first step for running again for the presidency in 2017.
"I am a candidate to be president of my political family," Mr Sarkozy wrote."I am a candidate to be president of my political family," Mr Sarkozy wrote.
It ends months of speculation that the 59-year-old conservative would return to the political scene.It ends months of speculation that the 59-year-old conservative would return to the political scene.
The UMP party elections are due to be held in November.
The BBC's Hugh Schofield says that although Mr Sarkozy's announcement had been expected, it comes as a major event.
Mr Sarkozy has many supporters who believe his energy are essential to pull France out of its current difficulties, our correspondent adds.
However, Nicolas Sarkozy remains a divisive figure. He was defeated by Francois Hollande in the 2012 election, becoming the first French president not to be re-elected for a second term since 1981.
But opinion polls suggest President Hollande has now become the most unpopular French president in modern times.