Francois Hollande President Quotations

Everyone says Francois Mitterrand had huge charisma. But before he was president they used to call him badly dressed, old, archaic and say he knew nothing about the economy until the day he was elected. It's called universal suffrage. When you're elected, you become the person that embodies France.

As a president I will be like the candidate that I am, a respectful candidate, a rallying candidate, a normal candidate for a normal presidency, at the service of the Republic.

We need the help of other member countries and leaders who, like us, want to see a change in Europe's direction. That's also my logic when I tell voters that electing me president will not only shape France's future, but also initiate change across all of Europe.

If I become president, France will not continue with the same policies as under Nicolas Sarkozy - both in domestic policy and in foreign and European policy.

I am the president of the youth of France.

I gave myself an objective, to be the second president from Correze and finally to be the successor to Francois Mitterrand.

My obligation, if I become president, is to give another direction to Europe than the one that is being forced upon us today.

There's always a risk when the candidate becomes president: Will he deliver what is expected of him?

The president knows the trade unions' attitude. He knows the frustrations of many youths.

I want to hear Jacques Chirac today. Where is the president when such serious events are taking place?

Mitterrand had a sense for symbols, and he was the first Socialist president since 1958. He wanted to show that there is historical continuity, a connection with the great figures of French history.