Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has announced he will seek his party's nomination to stand in next year's election. Sarkozy, who is now 61 years old, was president between 2007 and 2012.

He says he wants to defend French identity, restore lost competitiveness and enforce state authority. He says he has the strength to lead the battle at a troubled time in French history.

Sarkozy was unseated from the Elysee Palace at the last election in 2012 by current President Francois Hollande.