Sarkozy presidential bid seeks to tap mood shift after France attacks

Nicolas Sarkozy, head of the Les Republicans political party and former French President, leaves his campaign headquarters in Paris, France, August 23, 2016. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

PARIS (Reuters) - When Nicolas Sarkozy went fishing for votes in the electoral waters of France's far right for a second presidential term in 2012 it ended in defeat, as voters alienated by his rhetoric and disappointed by a moribund economy deserted him.

Fast forward four years and the conservative is banking on a change in mood.