French President Declares Economic Emergency

PARIS (AP) —
French President Francois Hollande arrives to deliver a speech at the Versailles castle, west of Paris, Monday, Nov.16, 2015. French President Francois Hollande is addressing parliament about France's response to the Paris attacks, in a rare speech to lawmakers gathered in the majestic congress room of the Palace of Versailles. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
French President Francois Hollande. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

French President Francois Hollande has declared what he called “a state of economic emergency” and says it’s time to redefine France’s economic and social model.

Hollande laid out a series of proposed economic measures Monday in an annual speech to business leaders to boost long-stagnant French growth and reduce chronic unemployment. The first measures he proposed are relatively modest, and he said they would not “put into question” the 35-hour workweek. He did not seek to assume any new emergency powers.

Hollande stressed the urgency of updating France’s labor-friendly business model in a fast-moving, increasingly globalized and online economy. The measures included a loosening of some worker-friendly measures to encourage companies to hire, and new training for half a million workers.

 

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