Sarkozy says French identity being lost, stays mum on presidential bid

File photo of Nicolas Sarkozy, head of France's Les Republicains political party and former French president, attends a meeting at the party headquarters in Paris, France, March 30, 2016. REUTERS/Jacky Naegelen/File Photo

SAINT-ANDRE-LEZ-LILLE, France (Reuters) - Former President Nicolas Sarkozy courted supporters of France's far right Front National party on Friday in a speech laced with references to French identity and values but in which he stopped short of launching his bid for re-election next year.

Reviving the divisive theme of national identity that helped propel the head of the Les Republicains party to power in 2007 but turned voters off five years later, Sarkozy said French culture was dissolving because of cowardly leaders.