Beleaguered Hollande to outline economy plans

Dogged by record low popularity, allegations of a private affair and with his economic pledges in tatters, French President Francois Hollande will on Tuesday unveil his future economic roadmap to drag the country out of crisis. After 20 months in office marked by a morose market and rampant joblessness, the Socialist occupant of the Elysee Palace has been further thrust into controversy after a French tabloid alleged Hollande was having an affair with actress Julie Gayet. Upon hearing the allegations, the president's official partner Valerie Trierweiler checked herself into a hospital suffering from "shock". Hollande is expected to give details on how he will bolster growth and create jobs and answer questions on growth, unemployment, competitiveness and deficit cuts. Hollande will also outline France's diplomatic position in the context of its military operations in the Central African Republic and its role in the Geneva meeting on Syria.