Francois Hollande

“Long live the Republic, and long live France.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“I am not deaf. I hear the anger. I see the dissatisfaction, and I have to go faster.”

“Be happy, be proud, be generous, be respectful, be proud to be French citizens.”

“A country outside the euro zone cannot have a veto over countries in the euro zone.”

“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.”

“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.”

“If there is not a united policy, this mechanism will not work: it will collapse, and it will... undoubtedly be the end of Schengen, the return of national borders.”

“To resolve the climate crisis, good will, statements of intent are not enough. We are at breaking point.”

“My goal is to put France back on its feet. I have to put this country back on its feet.”

“Is France a northern European export powerhouse, or a Mediterranean indebted and dependent economy? Yes to both.”

“France, because it was attacked cowardly, shamelessly, violently, France will be merciless against the barbarians of Daesh.”

“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.”

“China... has the capacity to ensure its stability and growth.”

“I commit myself to serve my country.”

“Our enemy in Syria is Daesh: it's not about containing but destroying this organisation.”

“The partnerships between Schmidt and Giscard, Kohl and Mitterrand, and even between Chirac and Schroeder, have proved that political differences do not mean that we cannot work together.”

“I do not like the rich.”