FRANCE:Confirming the worst-kept secret in France, interior minister Nicolas Sarkozy has announced he is running for president next spring and will quit the government if his ruling centre-right party backs his candidacy.
In an interview with regional newspapers leaked by the Liberation newspaper's website yesterday, Mr Sarkozy said he would resign his portfolio before the April first round if the UMP gave him the nomination at a congress in January.
He did not set a date for his departure from the government, saying only: "I will no longer be minister come the election." His bid to become the first immigrant's son to lead modern France faces a stern test from Socialist Ségolène Royal, seeking to become the first woman to run France from the Élysée Palace.
Polls show them neck-and-neck, but a recent surge by veteran far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen means neither is assured of a place in the May 6th run-off ballot.
Mr Le Pen stunned France in the 2002 presidential election by beating Socialist prime minister Lionel Jospin into third place and out of the race.