Sarkozy's hardline bet risks backfiring in French election

Nicolas Sarkozy, former head of the Les Republicains political party, attends a political rally in Reichstett, near Strasbourg, France, as he campaigns for the French conservative presidential primary, October 3, 2016. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler

PARIS (Reuters) - He is rousing crowds at campaign rallies with fiery speeches warning of the dangers of immigration while losing ground in opinion polls - Nicolas Sarkozy's law-and-order platform pleases core supporters but is backfiring with French voters.

The combative former president began a re-election bid in late August, stealing much of the limelight from rivals as he tapped into voters' concerns over Islamist attacks and Europe's refugee crisis.