The long-time rival of incumbent President Nicolas Sarkozy made his announcement on French TV.

Mr Sarkozy himself has not formally declared a bid for re-election but is widely expected to do so.

France's Socialist opposition recently elected Francois Hollande as their candidate for the presidency.

Recent opinion polls suggested Mr de Villepin, 58, would only get 1 or 2 percent of the vote. 

His candidacy will certainly annoy the president because he will take away precious votes in the first round of the election at the end of April.