Paris: Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy will run for office again in the 2017 presidential election, he has formally declared.

Sarkozy previously served as the President between 2007 and 2012 for Les Republicains party and was beaten by Francois Hollande when he stood for re-election in 2012. He became the first President not to be re-elected for a second term since 1981. His time in office was characterised by a number of scandals, including allegations of corruption.