TEMPO.CO, Paris - The former French President Nicolas Sarkozy might have to bury his plan to run for the presidential election in 2017 as he is now under scrutiny over corruption and power abuse allegation.
New York Times reported that Sarkozy had been under judicial probes since he left office back in 2012, after a defeat by Socialist rival, Francois Hollande.
Sarkozy, the former leader of a conservative party, UMP, had expressed his wish to be back in power amid people's dissatisfaction on President Francois Hollande, while improving the UMP Party's image.
Despite negative issues engulfing the UMP Party, France 24 reported that a poll shows Sarkozy would secure an easy win if he had to run against Hollande. Hollande is considered the most unpopular president in the country's history.
But the scandal of illegal fund for his campaign in 2007 received from an entrepreneur and heir of L'Oreal, Lilliane Bettencort, and from the late Libyan President, Muammar Gaddafi, as well as an allegation of offering position for an information from judge Gilbert Azibert are likely to hamper Sarkozy's ambition to run for the presidential seat.
ANINGTIAS JATMIKA | NY TIMES | FRANCE 24