Sarkozy Calls on France to 'Change President, Lift Anti-Russian Sanctions'

During a meeting with French farmers at the International Agricultural Show in Paris, France's former president Nicolas Sarkozy, who is planning to run for presidential elections in 2017, criticized the actions of his successor, Francois Hollande, French newspaper Le Monde reported.

Sarkozy said he had never seen the country "in a state of such stress" and urged French authorities to lift sanctions against Russia. He also expressed his disappointment in the current government and said France needed a new president.

"One can feel very anxious [moods], despair and fear. I have never seen France in such a state of stress," the former president said, cited by the newspaper. "It is time to urgently help farmers… and change the president!" the politician added.

According to the newspaper, Sarkozy was very pleased with the outcome of the meeting with the French farmers. The politician was pleased to see that he still enjoyed popularity among certain parts of the French population.

The leader of the Republicans tried to look closer to the people and was actively shaking hands, patting folks on the back and handing out kisses, Le Monde wrote. In this way, he was apparently trying to gain votes among French farmers dissatisfied with the current situation and therefore criticized his successor and talked about the "degradation of the country".

Sarkozy served as the President of France from 2007 until 2012. After leaving his presidential post, the politician announced his retirement from public life. However, in autumn 2014 he decided to return to politics and is planning to run for president in the next term.