The British have been particularly shy about the issues of financial regulation, and attentive only to the interests of the City - hence their reluctance to see the introduction of a tax on financial transactions and tax harmonisation in Europe.

My adversary is the world of finance.

France is the bridge between northern Europe and southern Europe. I refuse any division. If Europe has been reunified, it's not for it to then fall into egotism or 'each for one's own'. Our duty is to set common rules around the principles of responsibility and solidarity.

Austerity need not be Europe's fate.

My real adversary has no name, no face, no party. It will never be elected, yet it governs - the adversary is the world of finance.

I'm not a lukewarm European. I know that the German-French friendship is indispensable, no matter who the countries' leaders are.

To be influential in tomorrow's world, to defend our values and our development model, France needs Europe and Europe needs France.