ANKARA

Former French leader Nicolas Sarkozy has announced his candidacy for the 2017 presidential election.

According to local French news site The Local, Sarkozy made his declaration in a foreword of a new book to be released Wednesday.

"I have decided to be a candidate in the 2017 presidential election," wrote Sarkozy in the foreword.

"I felt I had the strength to lead this battle in a troubled time in our history," the right-wing candidate added.

Sarkozy must first seek to claim the nomination in the two-round primary held on Nov. 20 and 27 by right-wing and centrist parties.

Sarkozy, 61, was the French president between 2007 and 2012.