he new French President, François Hollande, has kept his election campaign promise to host a special conference bringing together government representatives and social partners to define the incoming government’s social policy. The conference, held on 9 and 10 July 2012, debated a wide range of subjects including the creation of jobs for young people, training and development, initiatives for ensuring fairer pay, and the reform of pensions and the social security system.
In their feverish coverage of his immediate fiscal and diplomatic plans, international commentators have largely overlooked his longer-term vision for the French economy. (By Jeremy Cliffe)