Sarkozy to run for French presidency

French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy formally announced that he will run in France’s presidential elections in an interview with regional newspapers released on the Web site of the daily Liberation today.

Sarkozy, head of Jacques Chirac’s ruling conservative party UMP, has long been expected to announce the move and is considered one of the two top contenders for the job. Asked if he would be a candidate, he said, “My answer is yes.”