Nicolas Sarkozy, former President of France, has announced that he will run for presidency in the country's 2017 elections, reported BBC. He said he "felt he had the strength to lead the combat at such a tormented moment in our history." He held the position from 2007 till he was replaced by Francois Hollande in 2012.

However, to run for the elections, Sarkozy will first have to secure his Republicans party's nomination by winning a primary in November. While announcing his decision, he said, "The next five years will be filled with danger, but also with hope." Sarkozy will also release his book Everything for France this week.

The 61-year-old right-wing politician's campaign will be focusing on a number of policies, including a ban on the Muslim headscarf in universities and public companies, limiting French nationality rights for children born to foreign parents, and a ban on pork-free options in school canteens, reported The Guardian. The last policy, if implemented, will result in the end of substitute meals offered to Muslim and Jewish students.