Dominique de Villepin takes on Sarkozy

PARIS, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin says he is running as an independent candidate against President Nicolas Sarkozy.

De Villepin, who has quit the ruling center-right UMP party, made the announcement Sunday on France's TF1 television channel.

He is not expected to gain enough votes to win the presidency next year but he could pull votes away from his rival Sarkozy, who is currently behind in the polls, The Financial Times reported Monday.

Radio France Internationale said a poll released Sunday showed Villepin with 1 percent of the vote. Socialist candidate Francois Hollande had 31.5 percent, Sarkozy had 26 percent and far-right candidate Marine Le Pen had 13.5 percent.