France must exceed 1% growth to halt rise in joblessness: Hollande

Paris

PRESIDENT Francois Hollande said France must exceed one per cent economic growth to halt the rise in unemployment, a policy goal to which he has pinned his political future. Mr Hollande, who failed to revive the French economy during the first half of his mandate, on Monday addressed the central issue of jobs after he pledged not to seek re-election in 2017 unless he succeeds in curbing unemployment.

"France can't continue with weak growth," Mr Hollande said. "As long as growth is under one per cent, given the rise in our population" France won't see any decline in unemployment, he said.