Expand / Collapse search
Watch TV
Menu

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.

World

Sarkozy announces France political comeback, despite legal troubles

Associated Press
Published | Updated
  • 43155764-
    Image 1 of 3

    Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrives at an hote in Paris, Friday, Sept. 19, 2014. Sarkozy is expected to announce his political come-back this weekend. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) (The Associated Press)

  • c13372fe-
    Image 2 of 3

    Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrives at an hote in Paris, Friday, Sept. 19, 2014. Sarkozy is expected to announce his political come-back this weekend. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) (The Associated Press)

  • c13372fe-
    Image 3 of 3

    Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrives at an hote in Paris, Friday, Sept. 19, 2014. Sarkozy is expected to announce his political come-back this weekend. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) (The Associated Press)

PARIS – Nicolas Sarkozy is making a political comeback in France despite his legal troubles.

Sarkozy has joined the race to lead his conservative UMP party in a barely-concealed first step toward trying to win the presidency in 2017.

Sarkozy, president from 2007 to 2012, announced his candidacy on Facebook on Friday.

In a long letter, he says "I have decided to propose a new political choice to the French."

Sarkozy, the 59-year-old husband of model-turned-singer Carla Bruni, is facing legal problems linked to corruption accusations.

But his successor, Socialist Francois Hollande, has become the most unpopular French leader of modern times over his handling of the dragging economy, and polls suggest some voters want Sarkozy to return.