Trailing Sarkozy to announce bid for re-election

French president Nicolas Sarkozy will announce his bid for re-election tonight, setting the stage for what he hopes will be a dramatic comeback against his poll-leading Socialist rival, a source in his office said.

With only 10 weeks before the first round of the presidential vote on Apr 22, right-wing Sarkozy is lagging in the polls, struggling with image problems and burdened with a moribund economy.

His team is confident that once officially in the race Sarkozy, a seasoned and charismatic campaigner, will be able to quickly make up ground on Socialist front-runner François Hollande.