Hollande says won’t seek re-election if fails to cut unemployment

Hollande says won’t seek re-election if fails to cut unemployment

PanARMENIAN.Net - French President Francois Hollande said Thursday, Nov 6, he will not seek re-election in 2017 if he fails to cut unemployment.

In a televised interview, Hollande acknowledged he had made mistakes since taking office in 2012 but vowed to go "to the end" to reform the economy.

The BBC says the interview is widely seen as an attempt by Hollande to revive his flagging popularity.

Earlier on Thursday, a new poll put the president's approval rating at 12%.

Unemployment in France is currently at 11% and economic growth has all but ground to a halt. With Hollande's popularity at an all-time low, the far-right Front National led by Marine Le Pen has been making steady gains.

"I've got a thick skin. For two-and-a-half years I've been hanging on," said Hollande. "I have made mistakes. Who hasn't?"

Referring to his failed promise to "invert the trend" of unemployment, he said: "Do you think I can say to the French people, 'I didn't manage it for five years, but I promise I'll do it in the next five?' It doesn't work like that. If I don't manage it before the end of my term, do you think I will go before the French people in 2017? The French people would be unyielding and they would be right."

However, Hollande vowed to go "to the end to reform France... to make it stronger in the two and a half years I have left".

He also promised that from next year there would be no additional tax "on anyone".

 Top stories
Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive.
In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million).
The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot".
The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.
Partner news
---