Ex-French President Nicolas Sarkozy announces return to politics

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has reportedly announced his return to politics, saying that he would seek the leadership of the opposition UMP party.

Sarkozy revealed through his Facebook page that he would seek the leadership of the opposition UMP party, which is widely seen as a first step towards a presidential bid in 2017.

Sarkozy posted that he is a candidate to be president of his political family. His statement ends months of speculation about the intentions of the 59-year-old conservative, who vowed to give up politics after he failed to be re-elected as president in 2012, The BBC reported.

The UMP party elections are due to be held in November.

Sarkozy posted that after a lengthy period of reflection, he has decided to offer the French people a new political choice, adding that he could not remain a spectator given the situation in which France finds itself, given the destruction of political debate and the persistence of the derisory splits within the opposition.

Sarkozy's announcement had reportedly been expected, but it comes as a major event. He has many supporters who believe his energy are essential to pull France out of its current difficulties.

However, 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, the report added.