One thing that makes France different from other countries is the tradition of social solidarity. People from all backgrounds and political positions are willing to contribute for services and protection of society as a whole - but on the condition that money is being spent effectively and that everyone is paying their part.

Nicolas Sarkozy said he could see a wave rising. For once he was right. The wave's coming; it's high, its strong, and it's going to smack him in the face.

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

My obligation, if I become president, is to give another direction to Europe than the one that is being forced upon us today.

I don't want to leave my successor and my children to pay for France's debt.

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.

An education program is, by definition, a societal program. Work should be done at school, rather than at home.