French president defends five-year record in year-end greetings message

World
Europe

In his last New Year's Eve address to the nation on Saturday, French President Francois Hollande defended his five-year presidency whose "results are coming (but) later than anticipated."

"During many mandates, I have had only one priority: redress our economy to bring down unemployment," Hollande said.

"I claim the choices I made. The results are coming later than I had anticipated, I agree, but they are there. The public accounts have been restored, social security is in balance, the competitiveness of our companies has been restored, housing construction reaches a record level, investment returns and the number of job seekers declined, finally, by year end," he added.

French President Francois Hollande delivers a speech during the inauguration of a new hospital in Chambery, on December 22, 2016. /CFP Photo

Earlier this month, Hollande announced he would not launch a bid for a second term due to a long sliding approval rating.

In his last New Year Greetings message, which he called "a moment of emotion," Hollande hoped the rifts which weakened the left parties would not lead to their dispersal ahead of a "decisive" presidential election.

"In less than five months, you will have to make a choice, my dear compatriots. It will be decisive for France. It's about its social model to which you are attached because it guarantees the equality of all," he said.

French President Francois Hollande (C) delivers a speech next to his Senegalese counterpart Macky Sall (L) during a state dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris, on December 20, 2016. /CFP Photo

In addition, the French leader vowed to mobilize all the necessary measures to combat terrorists. He acknowledged that the fight against terrorism is not over.

"We're not done with the plight of terrorism. We have to continue fighting abroad and this is the reason of our military operations in Mali, Syria and Iraq and at home to foil attacks, prevent acts intended to hit the public order and radicalization," he said.

"In this fight, our democracy will emerge victorious," he added.

( Source from Xinhua News Agency)

264km