In an election, one needs both hope and audacity.

My mission is to put France back on its feet. The priority is employment. Efforts have to be made, but those efforts must be made fairly.

I won't wait until the end of my term to say I made mistakes at the beginning. That's too late. I will try to adopt the proper behaviour, if the French give me the chance, right from the start.

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.

Before you, I engage myself to serve my country with the devotion and the exemplary that this post demands. I understand responsibilities of the job and, as such, I give a republican salute to Nicolas Sarkozy who has led France for 5 years and who deserves all of our respect.

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.

Germany and France are pinning their hopes on young people, in terms of education, science and innovation.