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.

Austerity need not be Europe's fate.

There cannot be prosperity without security.

We have chased away the clouds, the sky is all 'rose.'

I perfectly understood President Obama's attitude throughout the French presidential campaign. He had no reason to distance himself from Nicolas Sarkozy. It's the basic solidarity that leaders who worked together owe to each other.

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

I am attached to the French language. I will defend the ubiquitous use of French.