PARIS (AP) — Nicolas Sarkozy is making a political comeback in France despite his legal troubles. Sarkozy has joined the race to lead his conservative UMP party in a barely-concealed first step toward trying to win the presidency in 2017. Sarkozy, president from 2007 to 2012, announced his candidacy on Facebook on Friday. In a long letter, he says "I have decided to propose a new political choice to the French." Sarkozy, the 59-year-old husband of model-turned-singer Carla Bruni, is facing legal problems linked to corruption accusations.