Francois Hollande Quotes & Sayings

What the French want is coherence, stability and justice. If I am in a favorable position today, it's because my fellow citizens want to make the effort to straighten out the country, and at the same time they want it to be just and equitable. — Francois Hollande

Today, Paris is the capital of the world. — Francois Hollande

Daesh is the enemy of Europe, and Europe cannot live with the idea that the crises that surround it don't have an effect on it. — Francois Hollande

That is now my mission: to provide a European vision of growth, employment, prosperity - in one word, our future. — Francois Hollande

The concept of the terrorists is to plunge our country into division. — Francois Hollande

Each country has a soul, and France's soul is equality. — Francois Hollande

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. — Francois Hollande

I am the president of the youth of France. — Francois Hollande

A compromise appears out of reach on the stripping of terrorists' nationality. — Francois Hollande

A jolt is necessary. Europe must reaffirm it values of freedom, solidarity, peace. The EU must be understood and controlled by its citizens. I will do everything to secure profound change rather than decline. — Francois Hollande

I have defended the interests of France at the G8 in Washington; afterwards I was at Chicago to announce the withdrawal of French troops from Afghanistan; I have participated in two European summits, so I have fully respected the engagements I made to the French. — Francois Hollande

China ... has the capacity to ensure its stability and growth. — Francois Hollande

There is just one France ... one single nation, united in the same destiny. — Francois Hollande

Between France and Senegal there's a history. There's a language that we both speak. There's a culture that we share and to which both of our peoples have contributed. But beyond our history, beyond our language, beyond the links that have united us for so long, what unites us today is the future. — Francois Hollande

My real adversary has no name, no face, no party. It will never be elected, yet it governs - the adversary is the world of finance. — Francois Hollande

We need intelligence services to fight against terrorism, but they have to respect the principles of good relationships between allies and protect personal, confidential data. — Francois Hollande

Germany and France are pinning their hopes on young people, in terms of education, science and innovation. — Francois Hollande

I don't want to drive the markets crazy. I don't want to create trouble, but rather order and rules and norms. We have to struggle against financial excesses, those who speculate with sovereign debt, those who develop financial products which have done so much harm. — Francois Hollande

There cannot be any concessions on the matter of human rights or the criteria for visa liberalisation. — Francois Hollande

Our biggest threat is not too much Europe, but too little. — Francois Hollande

Whatever happened during the French presidential campaign will leave no hard feelings. I perfectly understand why Angela Merkel supported Nicolas Sarkozy because of the action they have taken together, even though I have questioned its results, and because of their shared political sensibility. — Francois Hollande

Islamist terrorism has declared war against us, against France, Europe, the entire world. — Francois Hollande

France isn't just any country in Europe, and its president is not an ordinary leader in the world. Sometimes directing or leading the way is not enough, he has to initiate policies, as Nicolas Sarkozy was able to demonstrate during his term. — Francois Hollande

Austerity need not be Europe's fate. — Francois Hollande

Being in the European Union has its advantages, and I think that is what the British are beginning to understand, what those who are tempted by the Brexit are going to reflect upon. — Francois Hollande

I am attached to the French language. I will defend the ubiquitous use of French. — Francois Hollande

I perfectly understood President Obama's attitude throughout the French presidential campaign. He had no reason to distance himself from Nicolas Sarkozy. It's the basic solidarity that leaders who worked together owe to each other. — Francois Hollande

In August 2012, the international community should have been far more determined in dealing with the Bashar Assad regime. — Francois Hollande

A country outside the euro zone cannot have a veto over countries in the euro zone. — Francois Hollande

It's not for Germany to decide for the rest of Europe. — Francois Hollande

There cannot be prosperity without security. — Francois Hollande

In my own situation, I cannot show anything ... And I believe that everybody now understands that, president or not president, one is entitled to have a private life. But of course when one is president, this creates duties and obligations. — Francois Hollande

I'm going to gather all the French people who want change. — Francois Hollande

I don't want to leave my successor and my children to pay for France's debt. — Francois Hollande

We must do everything to ensure that the Euro 2016 is a success. — Francois Hollande

Faced with terror, France must be strong, it must be great, and the state authorities must be firm. — Francois Hollande

If Europe does not advance, it will fall or even be wiped out from the world map ... My duty is to bring Europe out of its lethargy. — Francois Hollande

As much as I believe in the Franco-German partnership, I question the idea of a duopoly. European construction is based on a well-balanced and respectful partnership between France and Germany. — Francois Hollande

Transatlantic links are very important. — Francois Hollande

Europe existed before Britain joined it. — Francois Hollande

There are tensions abroad where people don't understand our attachment to the freedom of speech, we've seen the protests, and I would say that in France all beliefs are respected. — Francois Hollande

I am for a clear distinction between public and private life. I believe private matters should be regulated in private and I have asked those close to me to respect this. — Francois Hollande

The best thing the Democrats can do is to get Hillary Clinton elected. — Francois Hollande

Though Africa is not responsible for emitting greenhouse gases, it is suffering the consequences of climate change. — Francois Hollande

No one imposes things on anyone in Europe. That's not my notion, nor is it my temperament. The EU has always functioned under the banner of respect, equilibrium and trust. — Francois Hollande

I will not give way because too many previous governments have backed down. — Francois Hollande

I'm not a lukewarm European. I know that the German-French friendship is indispensable, no matter who the countries' leaders are. — Francois Hollande

Things are going better: there is more growth, less deficit, more competitiveness, better margins for companies, more purchasing power for workers. — Francois Hollande

Our only goal is to strengthen the opposition and to avoid the dilemma whereby we only have the choice between Bashar Assad and al-Qaeda. — Francois Hollande

Long live the Republic, and long live France. — Francois Hollande

I think that France has not made it clear enough recently to our German friends how important it is to introduce euro bonds as a tool against speculation. And how the necessary budget discipline needs to be accompanied by growth. — Francois Hollande

We are a big country, with lots of advantages and history. We are proud to be French. We have to call on patriotism at this time ... to ask for an effort in the battle against debt. — Francois Hollande

Whoever pays should control; whoever pays should sanction. I agree. But budgetary union should be completed by a partial mutualisation of debts through eurobonds. — Francois Hollande

Europe must be understood and controlled by its citizens. — Francois Hollande

There must be pressure on Moscow so that we have negotiations. Moscow will not succeed by unilaterally backing Bashar al-Assad. — Francois Hollande

I ask to be judged on the issue of unemployment. — Francois Hollande

When we live longer, we must work a little bit longer. — Francois Hollande

The German-French friendship is indispensable for Europe. And I will never let myself be carried away to making statements that would change it. — Francois Hollande

The first time that I went to the United States was in 1974. I was 20 years old. America was in crisis. — Francois Hollande

I prefer that people remember me as a president who made reforms rather than a president who did nothing. — Francois Hollande

Symbols mean a lot in politics. They indicate a will and create new realities. — Francois Hollande

A large country with such outstanding economic performance as Germany cannot forget that it owes some of its success to demand from other European countries. — Francois Hollande

There must be protection of the external borders. — Francois Hollande

Our common responsibility is to put Europe's interests first. — Francois Hollande

In an election, one needs both hope and audacity. — Francois Hollande

France, because it was attacked cowardly, shamelessly, violently, France will be merciless against the barbarians of Daesh. — Francois Hollande

We are absolutely clear: when these unaccompanied minors have a family link in the United Kingdom, then they must go to the United Kingdom. And they must go quickly and in an efficient fashion. — Francois Hollande

My adversary is the world of finance. — Francois Hollande

I have given myself one objective, to be the long-awaited successor to Francois Mitterrand. — Francois Hollande

France wants Britain to remain in the E.U.; indeed, how can we imagine that friendly nation that is our ally and played a role on the international stage could be outside the E.U.? — Francois Hollande

I don't want euro bonds that serve to mutualize the entire debt of the countries in the euro zone. That can only work in the longer-term. I want euro bonds to be used to finance targeted investments in future-oriented growth projects. It isn't the same thing. Let's call them 'project bonds' instead of euro bonds. — Francois Hollande

We have chased away the clouds, the sky is all 'rose.' — Francois Hollande

Everyone must be in the same competitive situation, including on the fiscal level. — Francois Hollande

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. — Francois Hollande

The arguments in the Brexit vote and in the American presidential campaign are about the same. In a friendly way, may I also give some advice to the American people to make the right choice when the moment comes. — Francois Hollande

I commit myself to serve my country. — Francois Hollande

To be influential in tomorrow's world, to defend our values and our development model, France needs Europe and Europe needs France. — Francois Hollande

I could have made a fortune in cheeseburgers, but I finally chose politics. — Francois Hollande

Is France a northern European export powerhouse, or a Mediterranean indebted and dependent economy? Yes to both. — Francois Hollande

Private life is always, at certain times, a challenge. — Francois Hollande

The world owes an ecological debt to the African continent. — Francois Hollande

My mission is to put France back on its feet. The priority is employment. Efforts have to be made, but those efforts must be made fairly. — Francois Hollande

The Republic will destroy terrorism. — Francois Hollande

We're all taking part in this solidarity. The French, the Germans, just like all the Europeans in the ESM. Let's stop thinking that there's only one country who's going to pay for the others. That's false. — Francois Hollande

People need to see signs of equal treatment across society. — Francois Hollande

Doesn't everyone have their hair done? — Francois Hollande

I won't wait until the end of my term to say I made mistakes at the beginning. That's too late. I will try to adopt the proper behaviour, if the French give me the chance, right from the start. — Francois Hollande

I don't like indecent, unearned wealth. But it is legitimate for an entrepreneur who has created something to make a good living. — Francois Hollande

To resolve the climate crisis, good will, statements of intent are not enough. We are at breaking point. — Francois Hollande

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. — Francois Hollande

The United Nations will be at the heart of our international activities. France will assume its full responsibilities at the Security Council by putting its status at the service of peace, respect for human rights and development. — Francois Hollande

I know where I'm going and I have told the French. I am sure if hope is there, we will be able to put France back on its feet ... to live better in five years than we do today. — Francois Hollande

I am not deaf. I hear the anger. I see the dissatisfaction, and I have to go faster. — Francois Hollande

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

When I travel officially ... and when I travel on a private basis, I have protection that is less suffocating. But I am protected everywhere. — Francois Hollande

What is happening in the Sahel for the past several months is that terrorists have structured themselves, have installed themselves. It's not simply a menace for west Africa. — Francois Hollande

The Republic will not be destroyed by terrorism. — Francois Hollande

Europe must act quickly where it's needed and must, once and for all, let member states handle what is their exclusive domain. — Francois Hollande

We want the United Kingdom to remain in the European Union. — Francois Hollande

Our enemy in Syria is Daesh: it's not about containing but destroying this organisation. — Francois Hollande