A court in France has quietly dropped from its docket a criminal investigation case against former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, clearing the way for him to make a new run for the nation’s highest office.
The case involved allegations that Mr. Sarkozy secretly solicited campaign cash from France’s richest woman, L’Oreal cosmetics queen Liliane Bettencourt, who is reported to be mentally ill, BBC reported. Mr. Sarkozy was scratched off the list of those who were called to testify in the case. And that means he’s been cleared of trial — and can now turn his eyes back to the political scene and a possible run for the presidency in 2017.
Mr. Sarkozy tried a re-election campaign in 2012, but failed to now-President Francois Hollande, an open socialist who promised to bring France back onto financial track. But with France’s economy still in a lag, Mr. Sarkozy is eyeing another try. Current polls say he could beat Mr. Hollande if the contest were held today, BBC reported.
Mr. Sarkozy has indeed hinted he may run for the office, saying to media outlets earlier this year that he was considering a campaign to “save” the country from economic disaster.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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