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Sarkozy 'loosening' 35-hour week Sarkozy 'loosening' 35-hour week
(about 11 hours later)
France's President Nicolas Sarkozy says he wants to go "much further in loosening up the 35-hour" working week.France's President Nicolas Sarkozy says he wants to go "much further in loosening up the 35-hour" working week.
Mr Sarkozy also said he wanted to tighten up competition between firms to make consumer prices fall.Mr Sarkozy also said he wanted to tighten up competition between firms to make consumer prices fall.
In a speech to the employers' organisation Medaf, he said he was not planning to sit around waiting for international growth to improve. In a speech to the employers' organisation Medef, he said he was not planning to sit around waiting for international growth to improve.
Mr Sarkozy said a global economic slowdown would only encourage him to do more to make the economy competitive.Mr Sarkozy said a global economic slowdown would only encourage him to do more to make the economy competitive.
ReformsReforms
"You will see that by rolling up our sleeves, with a bit of courage, will and a bit of passion, with the talent and intelligence of the French people, we will create growth," he said."You will see that by rolling up our sleeves, with a bit of courage, will and a bit of passion, with the talent and intelligence of the French people, we will create growth," he said.
Mr Sarkozy was elected in June on a platform of economic reform and has been working at a furious pace to push through new legislation since then.Mr Sarkozy was elected in June on a platform of economic reform and has been working at a furious pace to push through new legislation since then.
He has already managed to make extra hours worked beyond the 35-hour week exempt from social charges, brought in a 50% ceiling on income tax rates and all but abolished inheritance tax.He has already managed to make extra hours worked beyond the 35-hour week exempt from social charges, brought in a 50% ceiling on income tax rates and all but abolished inheritance tax.
He even managed to pass a bill to guarantee a minimum level of service during public transport strikes with only limited opposition.He even managed to pass a bill to guarantee a minimum level of service during public transport strikes with only limited opposition.