France is the country with the highest taxes in Europe along with Sweden...something of which I am not proud.

Perhaps the mistake I made at the start of my mandate is not understanding the symbolic dimension of the president's role and not being solemn enough in my acts. A mistake for which I would like to apologise or explain myself and which I will not make again. Now, I know the job.

Success and social promotion are not some right that anybody can claim after queuing at some [government office]. It is better: it is a right, a right that one can merit because of one's sweat.

A page is turning for me. I won't be candidate in legislative elections, nor in any elections to come.

Laissez-faire is finished. The all-powerful market that always knows best is finished.

We want to put a stop to tax havens. We want results on this, with a list of tax havens and a series of consequences.

France now has a new president and he must be respected. I assume full responsibility for this defeat.