Sarkozy launches re-election bid promising to be like 'captain at heart of storm' to keep France 's

Paris, Feb 16 (ANI): Nicolas Sarkozy has formally launched his battle for re-election, promising to be like a "captain at the heart of a storm" to keep France "strong" if he gets re-elected as President.

"Yes, I am candidate for the presidential election. I took this decision because France, Europe and the world have for the last three years seen a series of unprecedented crises, which means that not seeking a new mandate from the French people would be abandoning my duties," Sarkozy said in a news programme.

"Can you imagine the captain of a ship in the heart of a storm saying: I'm tired, I'm giving up, I'm stopping?'," he asked, adding, "I have things to say to the French people, I have proposals to make to them."

According to The Telegraph, Sarkozy's opponents quickly responded to the metaphor.

Centrist Model candidate Francois Bayrou said, 'when the captain has led the ship onto a reef, change is needed.'

According to the paper, Sarkozy is likely to face an epic struggle to convince France he is still the man for the country's top job.

A latest survey published Harris Interactive, forecast that French Presidential frontrunner Francois Hollande would win the first round on April 22 with 28 percent to Sarkozy's 24 then walk the run-off with 57 percent to 43 on May 6. (ANI)