Sarkozy faces trial over reelection

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy is to face trial on charges of illegally financing his failed 2012 re-election bid, causing more trouble for the country's right-wing Republicans party.

The prosecution claims Sarkozy spent nearly double the legal limit of $24 million on his lavish campaign, using false billing from a public relations firm called Bygmalion.

A legal source said on Tuesday that one of two investigating magistrates in charge of the case, Serge Tournaire, had decided on Friday that the case should go to trial.