PARIS: The main points in the programmes of the leading candidates Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy and the three outsiders in the presidential elections to be held April 22 and May 6.
Francois Hollande (Socialist)
Economy: reduction of public deficit to 3.0 percent of GDP and a balanced budget by 2017, lowering labour costs, fiscal reform with a 75-percent tax bracket for income above one million euros, raising wealth tax for France's richest, imposing taxes on tax exiles and ending 29 billion euros worth of tax breaks.
Society: creation of 60,000 jobs in education within five years, introducing gay marriage and the right of gay couples to adopt, partial reinstatement of retirement at 60, reduction in the number of immigrants (but no precise figure proposed), reducing France's dependence on nuclear energy from 75 percent to 50 percent.
Institutions: non-European Union foreigners will be granted the right to vote in local elections, an element of proportional representation will be introduced into legislative elections, the president's and ministers' salaries will be reduced by 30 percent.
Foreign policy: renegotiation of the EU's fiscal pact to include measures for growth, withdrawal of French troops fromAfghanistanby the end of 2012.
Nicolas Sarkozy (right-wing)
Economy: balanced budget by 2016, raising sales tax from 19.6 to 21.2 percent to finance a reduction in employers' labour costs, ending tax exemptions for companies moving production outsideEurope, tax exiles to be taxed, banning "golden parachutes", continuing with current policy of not replacing every other public service worker who retires.
Society: halving the number of legal immigrants (to 100,000 a year) and toughening of rules for immigrants' family members coming to live in France, toughening laws for juvenile offenders and for those defending terrorism, reform of professional training.
Institutions: including in the constitution a "golden rule" committingFranceto balanced budgets, an element of proportional representation will be introduced into legislative elections, reducing by about 10 percent the number of members of parliament.
Foreign policy: revision of the EU's Schengen accords on passport-free travel to toughen the bloc's external borders, introduction of a "Buy European Act", withdrawal of French troops fromAfghanistanby the end of 2013.
Jean-Luc Melenchon (radical left)
Economy: reduce the power of banks and financial markets and crack down on companies moving production abroad and on speculation, controlling the flow of capital, minimum salary of 1,700 euros ($2,230), confiscation of all income above 360,000 euros.
Society: illegal immigrants to be given residency and work permits, research budget to be doubled, creation of jobs in education.
Institutions: theFifthRepublicto be replaced by theSixthRepublic, proportional representation in all elections.
Foreign Policy: referendum on the EU fiscal pact, renegotiation of the statutes and mission of the European Central Bank (ECB), the ECB to be asked to lend at low rates to EU states, withdrawal of French troops fromAfghanistanand from NATO.
Marine Le Pen (far-right)
Economy: balanced budget by 2018,Franceto leave eurozone and reinstate the French franc, taking control of national financial policy and deciding when to print money.
Society: reducing the number of legal immigrants to 10,000 a year, ending the right of immigrants' family members to come live in France, systematic expulsion of illegal immigrants, lowering the age of legal responsibility to 13, banning "ostentatious" religious signs for users of services such as public transport or hospitals, priority for French nationals for employment, referendum on reintroducing the death penalty.
Foreign Policy: pullFranceout of the EU, reintroduce border controls, immediate withdrawal of French troops fromAfghanistan.
Francois Bayrou (centre)
Economy: balanced budget by 2018, raising sales tax, fiscal reform focusing on higher taxes for top earners, reducing tax breaks, reducing red tape for companies, introducing "Made in France" label, introducing of a single type of labour contract.
Society: controlling immigration (but no precise figures proposed), a vote this year on guaranteeing sexual equality, crackdown on arms trafficking, 40 percent renewable energy by 2030, civil union for same sex relationships.
Institutions: Reduce number of MPs.
Foreign Policy: Elect European Union president through universal suffrage.
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