Sarkozy defends cabinet reshuffle
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French President Nicolas Sarkozy justified the recent cabinet reshuffle and expressed faith in the new government on Tuesday.
The decision to rename Francois Fillon as premier was made "because I have great confidence in him," Sarkozy said in a 90-minute interview broadcast live Tuesday night on the country's main television channels France 2, TF1 and Canal+.
"He is very qualified," Sarkozy explained, adding that their long working relationship had remained unclouded throughout the years. He also called Fillon "the best person for the eminent position of prime minister."
The president, with his approval rating at an all-time low, now faces mounting criticism over the exclusion of centrists and left-wingers from the new government. Critics accused Sarkozy, whose first term ends in 18 months, of forming a "campaign team" to pave the way for the 2012 election.
"I wanted a very professional team ... I remain convinced that we must be open. This is not a government of supporters but a tightened one," the 55-year-old president stressed.
Expressing confidence in the new government, Sarkozy ruled out more adjustment till the end of his term, "barring unforeseen developments."
Meanwhile, he hedged questions on his preparation for the 2012 presidential election, saying he would start considering the issue next fall. ( As for domestic policy, Sarkozy proposed launching a six-month consultation to secure a dignified life for senior citizens, who represent a large part of the country's population of 65 million.
He also pledged to push forward fiscal reforms and defended the country's latest pension reform, which had triggered waves of nationwide protests before it was endorsed by the parliament.
"The jobless rate will fall next year. The economy is recovering. We will muddle through," Sarkozy said.
Prior to the president's television interview, Fillon told the National Assembly that the "absolute priority" of the government, which was formed on Sunday, remains fighting against indebtedness, unemployment and injustice.
In an unprecedented move in over five decades, the European country pledged to trim its budget deficit from a forecasted 7.7 percent this year to 6 percent in 2011 and 3 percent in 2013.
It also intended to accelerate growth to 2 percent next year from an expected increase of 1.5 percent in 2010.
But according to Segolene Royale, a key member of the Socialist Party, the outlook is not as rosy, as Sarkozy's plan is based on arguments which are far removed from the reality many French citizens face.
"The anger of the French would rise considerably as Sarkozy showed that he was unconscious of the social and economic situation. He spoke about himself and ignored the suffering of the people," she said on channel France 2.
A recent poll conducted for the local radio channel Europe 1 showed that 64 percent of those surveyed have "no confidence" in the new government.
Yet in front of a skeptical public, Sarkozy and Fillon showed strong solidarity, pledging "consistency and continuity" to secure "stability and solidity," and vowing to make sure the new government stays on track to reach the goals they had outlined before.
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