France: Sarkozy's party battles to save itself PARIS (AP) — Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy's conservative party is holding emergency meetings Sunday to try to figure out who's in charge, after a disputed election for its new leader that could reshape French politics. Both Cope and Fillon want to lead opposition to Socialist President Francois Hollande — and run for president themselves in 2017. Since Sarkozy left office in May, France's presidency, parliament and most regional governments have all been under Socialist control. [...] nostalgia for Sarkozy is on the rise, with many conservatives hoping he returns to politics — even though the former leader was named special witness in an investigation last week involving alleged illegal party financing that could see him face charges.