For François Hollande

So, now is the time of the main French political choice.
Our country is still a very great military, economic, political, and cultural power; however it is currently under the threat of decline, because of its public debt, external deficit, low level of growth and the waste of its talent. If nothing changes, our social protection and our health system will become unsustainable; and we will be deprived of the means to assert our interests in the urgent debate, which will begin, on the requirements of the evolution of the eurozone towards a federal system, without which the euro will disappear and the European Union will explode.
It is therefore crucial to balance quickly our fiscal and external accounts, to unlock our growth potential and make the most of our talents. Seemingly, the two leading candidates are in agreement on these objectives: both pledge to reduce the public debt and to finish their term with a budget surplus. They both advocate the defence of the middle class; they both consider as an emergency the return to competitiveness and the development of SMEs. They also both make of employment protection, education, health and housing their top priorities. Finally, they are both pro-European.
Between the two candidates who can best create the conditions conducive to the success of such a project? For some, it is Nicolas Sarkozy, because he would have already implemented with success a number of difficult reforms, in particular the modernisation of universities and the development of some forward-looking investments; and because he would have experience in international crisis management.
For me, the record of the outgoing president does not provide for his credibility for the future, as no significant effort has been made to reduce public debt, reform the state, reduce privileges, modernize the tax system, and train the unemployed: If he had done so, France would still have its triple-A, our unemployment would be as low as that of the Netherlands, our youth would not seek opportunities elsewhere and talents and foreign capital would rush into the hexagon.
Whereas Francois Hollande, he, at least in his program, makes effectively the social dialogue, the fair sharing of efforts, and the fight against all forms of instability, the foundation of his method of government, his tax reform and his European policy. By relying on local officials who have, in all countries, demonstrated their skills and abilities in implementing these principles. All in all, it is not only because Francois Hollande embodies the values which I always referred to that I choose him. It is also because social justice will be the condition of the acceptability of reforms. And I trust him to ensure this.
This choice will not prevent me from remaining vigilant, from seeking clarification where they are needed and from denouncing, if necessary, anything that might lead, out of faint-heartedness or conservatism, to deviate from compliance with these requirements, without which any project will only be speech.