Latest update: 27/01/2012 

- François Hollande - French politics - French presidential election 2012 - Nicolas Sarkozy


François Hollande: Saviour of the French or Nemesis of the Rich?

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Today's French papers are dominated by coverage of Socialist candidate François Hollande's 60-point election programme. Le Monde praises his productive and prudent policies needed to restore public services. But Le Figaro says it is a tax-boosting left-wing manifesto in which he will balance the books on the backs of the rich.

IN THE PAPERS
By Kyle G. Brown

Le Monde lavishes François Hollande with plaudits, praising his 60-point programme for its progressiveness and its prudence. 

It's not at all what the country needs for the economy, says Le Figaro. In a front-page editorial, it says the Socialist candidate is trying to balance the books on the backs of the wealthy and the middle classes. 

True, admits Liberation, he will raise taxes, but they will help to revive social services that have long been undermined by successive conservative governments. 

So what is the incumbent, President Nicolas Sarkozy, doing as the media spotlight shines for days on his rival? Well, as Le Parisien points out, he has yet to announce whether he is even running, but he is sending out "the heavyweights". 

One such proxy warrior is Foreign Minister Alain Juppé, with whom Hollande debated on French television Thursday night. Le Parisien's verdict: "Hollande took him apart."

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