Ex-president Sarkozy announces return to French politics

France's former president Nicolas Sarkozy announced his return to politics in a statement on his Facebook page on the 19 September 2014, saying he would seek the leadership of his UMP party in a move that could position him for a 2017 presidential bid.

Several media sources reported on 24 September 2014 the corruption investigation against Mr Sarkozy had been suspended.

France24 reported that former Prime Minister François Fillon said on the 9 November 2014 that he would sue French daily Le Monde for reporting that he encouraged legal action against his former boss, Nicolas Sarkozy, in a bid to beat him to their party's 2017 presidential nomination.

The Local.fr, 19.09.14: Sarkozy announces his return to French politics http://www.thelocal.fr/20140919/sarkozy-france-politics-return-president

ESO: Background information: France’s ex-PM Juppé sets up presidential clash with Sarkozy http://www.europeansources.info/record/frances-ex-pm-juppe-sets-up-presidential-clash-with-sarkozy/

BBC News, 19.09.14: Nicolas Sarkozy announces return to French politics http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29284541

Slate, 20.09.14: Sarkozy comeback no blessing for the left (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE150725-Sarkozy-comeback-no-blessing-for-the-left

The Conversation, 22.09.14: France loves a hero, but Sarkozy must lay off the bling this time http://theconversation.com/france-loves-a-hero-but-sarkozy-must-lay-off-the-bling-this-time-31930

BBC News, 24.09.14: France's ex-President Sarkozy's corruption case 'suspended' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29341846

France24, 24.09.14: Sarkozy wiretapping corruption probe 'suspended' http://www.france24.com/en/20140924-sarkozy-wiretapping-corruption-probe-suspended-magistrate-france/

BBC News, 26.09.14: Sarkozy launches political comeback at Lille rally http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29373140

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 01.10.14: Sarkozy’s return to politics is bound to deepen divisions within the UMP http://bit.ly/1rLm9kT

The Conversation, 03.10.14: French senate’s choice of leader is a blow for returning Sarkozy http://theconversation.com/french-senates-choice-of-leader-is-a-blow-for-returning-sarkozy-32451

openDemocracy: Can Europe Make it?, 13.10.14: Sarkozy strikes back: implications for the French political landscape https://www.opendemocracy.net/can-europe-make-it/benjamin-leruth/sarkozy-strikes-back-implications-for-french-political-landscape

Libération, 10.11.14: Sarkozy can play the victim again (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE153340-Sarkozy-can-play-the-victim-again

BBC News, 10.11.14: Anti-Sarkozy plot claim stuns France http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29985044

France24, 09.11.14: Ex-PM Fillon to sue Le Monde over Sarkozy claims http://www.france24.com/en/20141109-fillon-sue-monde-defamation-sarkozy-legal-action-presidency/

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