French President Nicolas Sarkozy has officially launched his campaign for re-election just 10 weeks before polling day.
In a French television interview, Mr Sarkozy said: "I took this decision because France, Europe and the world have for the last three years seen a series of unprecedented crises, which means that not seeking a new mandate from the French people would be abandoning my duties."
Describing himself as the "the captain of a boat in the heart of a storm", he said: "I have things to say to the French people, I have proposals to make to them."
The French president is widely predicted to be beaten by Socialist rival Francois Hollande , who is ahead in opinion polls.
The latest survey, published on Wednesday for news magazine VSD, forecast that Hollande would win the first round with 28% to Sarkozy's 24%, then sweep the second round with 57% to 43%.
In this poll the only other candidate within striking distance of the second round would be far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen on 20%, but most observers now see the campaign as a two-horse race.
The French left has not won a presidential election since 1988, but since coming to power in 2007 Mr Sarkozy has seen his popularity dwindle.
A high-profile marriage to supermodel Carla Bruni in February 2008 was overshadowed by his controversial legislation banning the wearing of the Islamic face veil in public areas and his vow to expel Roma in 2010.
In 2011, Mr Sarkozy sent French jets to patrol Libyan skies and contributed to Muammar Gaddafi's eventual capture and death when they bombed the convoy the fugitive Libyan leader was travelling in.
In a public show of anger, he snubbed David Cameron at an EU summit by apparently refusing to shake the Prime Minister's offered hand.
His alignment with Germany during the ongoing eurozone crisis paid off, however, with Chancellor Angela Merkel backing Mr Sarkozy's re-election bid earlier this month.
The first round of voting begins on April 22.
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