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Papers argue over Hollande and Sarkozy's economic policies as election nears

Clea Caulcutt
Clea Caulcutt - [email protected]
Papers argue over Hollande and Sarkozy's economic policies as election nears

Saving the economy is the top concern of editorialists in France as presidential candidates enter the last day of campaigning.

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Rightwing daily Le Figaro warns that the health of the French economy is at stake. Figaro editorialist Paul-Henri du Limbert is adamant: the frontrunner Socialist Francois Hollande is a threat to France.

“[His] project is dangerous, because it does not tackle the mutations that are forced on France because of the crisis and also because some leftwing voters don’t believe in it.” 

Hollande who is neck and neck with president Nicolas Sarkozy in the first round of the vote, has promised to drive down deficits and boost growth. But rightwing editorialists are worried his tax and spend policies will ruin France. 

Left-leaning Liberation snaps back at such accusations, accusing conservatives of calling markets to the rescue. 

"Is the third round of the election going to take place on the markets?" asks left-leaning newspaper Liberation.

Sarkozy has warned that France will suffer the same fate as Greece if it elects Hollande.  

Francois Sergent, editorialist with Liberation, writes that “Sarkozy seems to be calling on speculators to bet against the French sovereign debt.”

Liberation however says investors are not yet boycotting France and on Thursday massively bought French bonds.

Polls open on Sunday morning for the first round of the vote, two candidates will then go on to a run-off vote in May.

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