Hollande reaffirms determinations to cut jobless

Outlining the Socialists' economic and financial roadmap for 2014, French President Francois Hollande on Friday reitereated his promises to bring down the double digit jobless rate and restore the country's public finances. "The deficit reduction should be achieved by making savings in state spending, local authorities and social security and which will reduce taxes," Najat Vallaud-Belkcaem, the government's spokeswoman quoted Hollande as saying. As a rampant jobless rate that clouded his ruling since his arrival to the Elysee Palace in 2012, Hollande announced a new mechanism "the liability pact" to realize his promise to bring down the growing slice of jobseekers. According to Vallaud-Belkacem, also minister for women rights, the French head of state recalled his "offer to the companies of a new way to hire more and be more innovative and in return they will have a possible reduction in labor charges." In the New Year's Greetings message, Hollande said needing "the mobilization of all forces to gain the battle (against the unemployment)," currently at 10.9 percent. "Results are slow to come but they are here," he said after fresh data figures showed a still rising unemployment trend despite the state-sponsored job contracts and labor reforms. During New Year Greetings to his executive staff, the French leader had affirmed that creating jobs, narrowing the budget gap and promoting growth would top the government's agenda this year after witnessing a stagnated growth and record job claims in 2013.