FACTBOX: Policies of French presidential candidate Sarkozy
(Reuters) - On the last day of official campaigning, opinion polls showed conservative Nicolas Sarkozy enjoying a commanding lead over Socialist opponent Segolene Royal before Sunday's second round of the French presidential election.
Following are policies announced by Sarkozy in his manifesto and major speeches over the past six months:
THE ECONOMY/EMPLOYMENT
- will exempt overtime from tax and social security charges
- proposes to cut four percentage points from tax/social charges and thus return 68 billion euros to the French people.
- wants a single labor contract, with social rights increasing over time, flexibility he says will encourage employers to hire more staff.
- vows to ban "golden parachute" payouts to executives and prevent stock options being confined only to company bosses.
- 35-hour work week, retirement at 60 should be retained, but viewed as a minimum, not maximum, with people free to work more or longer if they want.
- cut public sector staff levels to boost civil service wages and reduce public debt.
- Sarkozy's UMP party has pledged to bring public debt below 60 pct/GDP over five years, limit public spending increases to 1.5 pct over five years
LAW-AND-ORDER/IMMIGRATION
- minimum sentences for repeat offenders, tougher sentences for juveniles
- ensure judges are accountable for their decisions
- reduce illegal immigration, pursue selective immigration that favors arrival of qualified workers.
- will create a ministry of immigration and national identity, says defense of French identity should not be seen as a taboo subject.
WELFARE/SOCIAL POLICY Continued...



