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France's Hollande warns against 'endless austerity' France's Hollande rejects 'a la carte' attitude to EU
(35 minutes later)
French President Francois Hollande has said the eurozone has largely put its crisis behind it but cannot afford "endless austerity". French President Francois Hollande has told the European Parliament there can be no "a la carte" attitude to the EU and he appealed for solidarity.
"The threat we face now is no longer the mistrust of the markets but that of the people," he told the European Parliament in Strasbourg. He called for a "multi-faceted Europe which would be neither a two-speed Europe not an a la carte Europe".
At the same time, he warned Europe was leaving the euro vulnerable to "irrational developments". National interests, he said in Strasbourg, risked taking precedence over the interests of the EU.
Mr Hollande has consistently advocated economic growth over cutbacks. While Mr Hollande did not name countries, the remarks appear to be a swipe at the British prime minister.
Elected last year, the Socialist president is making his first speech as France's head of state to the European Parliament. David Cameron announced last month that a referendum would be held on EU membership if his Conservative Party was returned to power at the next general election, expected in 2015.
Warning that national interests threatened to overtake the interests of the EU, the French leader said strong euro states should act to increase domestic demand. Voters would be asked to choose between a renegotiated form of membership, and exiting.
Mr Hollande's Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, commented at the time: "We want the British to be able to bring all their positive characteristics to Europe... but you can't do Europe a la carte."
'Endless austerity'
Elected last year on a pro-growth platform, the Socialist president was making his first speech as France's head of state to the European Parliament.
"National interest is overtaking the European interest," Mr Hollande said.
"If it is true that the eurozone crisis is now largely behind us, we are far from drawing all the consequences.
"The threat we face now is no longer the mistrust of the markets but that of the peoples."
Mr Hollande also warned that Europe was leaving the euro vulnerable to "irrational developments".
"A monetary zone must have an exchange rate policy or else it ends up subjected to an exchange rate that does not match the true state of its economy," he said.
There is growing concern within France's Socialist government that the euro is too strong, potentially undermining exporters and wider economic growth.
Mr Hollande called on EU states with strong export economies to stimulate internal demand to create a fairer balance.