We find ourselves in a difficult situation in Europe. There's a crisis, weak growth, unemployment... my duty is to ensure that by the end of my mandate France is in a better state than it was at the beginning.

I could have made a fortune in cheeseburgers, but I finally chose politics.

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

I gave myself an objective, to be the second president from Correze and finally to be the successor to Francois Mitterrand.

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.

In front of you I commit myself to serve my country with devotion.

There is just one France... one single nation, united in the same destiny.