Francois Hollande promises not to seek second term if he fails to cut unemployment

In a televised interview, French President Francois Hollande has promised not seek a second term in 2017 if he fails to cut unemployment.

Francois Hollande acknowledged he had made mistakes since taking office in 2012 but vowed to go “to the end” to reform the economy.

On November 6, a new poll put Francois Hollande’s approval rating at 12%.

Unemployment in France is currently at 11% and economic growth has all but ground to a halt.

With Francois 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,” the president said.

“I have made mistakes. Who hasn’t?”

Referring to his failed promise to “invert the trend” of unemployment, Francois Hollande 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, Francois 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”.

President Francois Hollande was questioned in the live TV program by journalists and members of the public.