That is now my mission: to provide a European vision of growth, employment, prosperity - in one word, our future.

Each country has a soul, and France's soul is equality.

I know where I'm going and I have told the French. I am sure if hope is there, we will be able to put France back on its feet to live better in five years than we do today.

Not in the constitution, but I would propose a law to the French parliament that provides for reducing the budget deficit year by year, until we have reached a balanced budget by 2017.

Austerity need not be Europe's fate.

Between France and Senegal there's a history. There's a language that we both speak. There's a culture that we share and to which both of our peoples have contributed. But beyond our history, beyond our language, beyond the links that have united us for so long, what unites us today is the future.

There's always a risk when the candidate becomes president: Will he deliver what is expected of him?