Francois Hollande: I will quit if I fail on unemployment

(BBC) French President Francois Hollande has said he will not seek re-election in 2017 if he fails to cut unemployment.

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

The BBC's Lucy Williamson in Paris says the interview is widely seen as an attempt by Mr 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 Mr 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 Mr Hollande.

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29939750


-- BBC 2014-11-07

He is a dismal failure as President ; Sarkozy was much better. I will be surprised if he lasts till 2017,

If he has been hanging on for the last 2 and a half years heaven help France if he hangs on for the rest of his term. An abject failure

He is a dismal failure as President ; Sarkozy was much better. I will be surprised if he lasts till 2017,

Sarkozy was corrupt. Hollande will end up the same way - most French presidents do.

Bring on Marine Le Pen.

"News flash" French President Hollande quits and goes on unemployment! If you can not be part of the solution you might as well be part of the problem

He can bring unemployment to a very respectful and manageable level if he has his statisticians massage the numbers like they do in Amerika.