My objective is that before the end of the millennium Europe should have a true federation. The Commission should become a political executive which can define essential common interests... responsible before the European Parliament and before the nation-states represented how you will, by the European Council or by a second chamber of national parliaments.

We will have to create an avant-garde.... We could have a Union for the enlarged Europe, and a Federation for the avant-garde.

The problem with a purely collective system is not only that it requires economic growth, and the right sort of demographic trends, but that it prevents people thinking about their futures in a responsible way.

My presidential victory, if it had happened, would have been artificial in relation to the Socialist party. It may be that on my deathbed, I will come to regret my decision, but for the moment, I live at peace with it.

Contrary to what people say, my wife never turned me away from the presidency. She told me to reflect on it and do what I wanted.

Cinema explains American society. It's like a Western, with good guys and bad guys, where the weak don't have a place.

Even in Britain, the trade unions tell me that employment contracts have less protection than in the past.