Sarkozy re-launches political career with rallySeptember 26, 2014 - 08:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has re-launched his political career with a rally near the city of Lille, BBC News reports. Last week, Sarkozy announced he would seek the leadership of the center-right UMP party. The rally comes a day after a court suspended an inquiry into allegations of corruption against Sarkozy. He denies the allegations and has requested that the case be dismissed. The BBC says Sarkozy, 59, appeared to be adopting a softer, more humble image. Although he was launching his campaign for leadership of the UMP, his speech at times felt more like a bid for the nation's presidency. "My dear friends, it is a long walk that we are starting in the service of France," he said. "I have had time to think about what we did, and to you the people of France, I wanted to say thank you." Sarkozy's leadership bid for the UMP is considered by many as a first step towards a presidential bid in 2017. He was defeated by Francois Hollande in the 2012 election, becoming the first French president not to be re-elected for a second term since 1981. But opinion polls now suggest President Hollande has become the most unpopular French president in modern times. Although he has kept a low profile since leaving office, Sarkozy has faced a series of investigations. The case suspended on Wednesday, Sept 24, relates to an alleged attempt to influence judges who were looking into his affairs. Other inquiries include one into his links with late Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi and another into illegal campaign funding in 2012. Sarkozy denies any wrongdoing. Related links: Related issues: Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Concept to complete Yerevan Cascade discussed at city hall A conceptual proposal to complete the Cascade complex in downtown Yerevan has been presented by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Pashinyan visits flood-hit region Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday, June 8 visited the disaster area in the Lori province. €3.5 mln EU grant to support justice reforms in Armenia The European Union has paid €3.5 mln grant to Armenia within a €11mln program on Support to Justice Reforms. Yerevan reacts to Baku’s proposal to see Minsk Group abolition Alen Simonyan has declared that Armenia is taking steps aimed at concluding a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. |