(FILES) This file photo taken on June 26, 2016 shows Former French president and head of the right-wing opposition party "Les Republicains" (The Republicans) Nicolas Sarkozy gesturing as he delivers a speech during a meeting for the "Fete de la federation des Republicains - Celebration of the federation of the Republicains " in Chartres-de-Bretagne, near Rennes, western France. Former French leader Nicolas Sarkozy on August 22, 2016 announced he will seek his party's nomination to stand in next year's presidential election. "I have decided to be a candidate in the 2017 presidential election," Sarkozy, who was president between 2007 and 2012, wrote in a foreword to a new book to be released on August 24, 2016 and seen by AFP. Sarkozy also posted a link to the extract on his Twitter account. / AFP PHOTO / JEAN-SEBASTIEN EVRARD