Isramart : Sarkozy defends economic policy, carbon tax in TV debate

Isramart news:
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has used a live TV debate with the public to explain and defend his economic policy and carbon tax plan in the face of low approval ratings.

On leading French private political channel TF1, 11 citizens from all walks of life raised questions ranging from domestic reforms to international issues during the president's first television appearance this year.

"In the coming weeks or months, you will see unemployment decline," Sakozy promised in front of millions of viewers across the country. A recent poll showed employment was the main concern among the French, followed by pension reform and consumer purchasing power.

France's employment would recover this year as the economy continued to progress, the president said.

French unemployment was an alarming 10 percent in November 2009, according to the latest report by the Paris-based rich countries bloc, the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development.

Halfway through his five-year term and weighed down by economic woes and limited achievement in reform, the president's approval rating remains near a record low of 38 percent, according to a monthly popularity poll released on Sunday.

Regional elections are scheduled for March and Sarkozy was eager to use the 90-minute live TV show to win back voters.

Vowing to tackle the current state-run pension system, the president said he would keep the basic model, under which employees pay for part of the pension for retirees.

The president also stood by his carbon tax policy, reiterating that he would commit himself to imposing the tax on European borders. The French government last week presented a revised version of the carbon tax bill, which had previously been rejected by the country's Constitutional Court.

On global issues, Sarkozy reaffirmed that France wouldn't send extra troops to fight in Afghanistan.

However, France would help train local police and build local security forces, adding that French troops' ongoing presence in the country was for France's security.

Sarkozy said two French hostages kidnapped last December near the Afghan capital of Kabul were "alive and healthy, but their situation was difficult and extremely dangerous."

The government would mobilize all efforts, including French troops in Afghanistan, to save the abducted nationals, Sarkozy added.

Hot issues such as a national identity debate, the ban on the Muslim burka, banks' responsibility and recent controversy over the site of a new Renault plant were also touched upon during the discussion.