PARIS - French centrist politician Francois Bayrou announced Wednesay his candidacy for next year's presidential election.

Francois Bayrou, French Centrist MoDem party leader, poses for the media as he arrives at a news conference to announce his candidacy for the 2012 presidential election in Paris Dec 7, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]?

Eying the Elysee Palace for the third consecutive time, Bayrou pledged a "campaign of truth" to help French people to face a "dangerous degradation."

"I stand before you as a free man with a project and a willing for our people and our country," he said in press conference.

"History begins ... We are you and me at the same rendezvous of lucidity, the optimism and of the will of a people who will decide to get up," added the head of the Democratic Movement (MoDem).

The 60-year-old former minister finished third with 18.6 percent of vote during 2007 presidential election.