Francois Hollande: I will quit if I fail on unemployment

French President Francois Hollande has said he will not seek re-election in 2017 if he fails to cut unemployment.

In a televised interview, Mr Hollande acknowledged he had made mistakes since taking office in 2012 but vowed to go "to the end" to reform the economy.

The BBC's Lucy Williamson in Paris says the interview is widely seen as an attempt by Mr Hollande to revive his flagging popularity.

Earlier on Thursday, a new poll put the president's approval rating at 12%.

Unemployment in France is currently at 11% and economic growth has all but ground to a halt.

With Mr Hollande's popularity at an all-time low, the far-right Front National led by Marine Le Pen has been making steady gains.

"I've got a thick skin. For two-and-a-half years I've been hanging on," said Mr Hollande.

"I have made mistakes. Who hasn't?"

Voters 'unyielding'

Referring to his failed promise to "invert the trend" of unemployment, he said: "Do you think I can say to the French people, 'I didn't manage it for five years, but I promise I'll do it in the next five?' It doesn't work like that.

"If I don't manage it before the end of my term, do you think I will go before the French people in 2017? The French people would be unyielding and they would be right."

However, Mr Hollande vowed to go "to the end to reform France... to make it stronger in the two and a half years I have left".

He also promised that from next year there would be no additional tax "on anyone".

The president was questioned in the live TV programme by journalists and members of the public.

At one point a businesswoman chided him for using overly official language, telling him to "speak French".

Our correspondent says Mr Hollande seemed nervous at times, frequently interrupting his challengers.

Bakudaily.az