France in economic and social emergency, Hollande says

French President Francois Hollande pledged Monday to redefine France's business model and declared what he called "a state of economic and social emergency," unveiling a 2-billion-euro ($2.2 billion) plan to revive hiring and catch up with a fast-moving world economy.

The measures he proposed, however, are relatively modest, and he said they would not "put into question" the 35-hour workweek. With his country under a state of emergency since extremist attacks in November, Hollande did not seek to assume any new emergency powers over the economy.

In an annual speech to business leaders, Hollande laid out plans for training half a million jobless workers, greater use of apprenticeships, and aid for companies that hire young workers.

Hollande's Socialist government has struggled to boost long-stagnant French growth or reduce chronic unemployment, which has been around 10 percent for years. His chances of winning a potential second term may hinge on whether jobs pick up before next year's presidential vote.

Hollande stressed the urgency of updating France's labor-friendly business model in an increasingly border-free, online economy. The measures included a loosening of France's rigid working time rules, and a bonus of 2,000 euros to small businesses that hire young people.

He stressed the need to integrate youth from France's troubled suburbs, including minorities who face job discrimination, into the global economy. High unemployment in France's North African and African communities is seen as one of the factors driving some youths to violent extremism or the drug trade.

Some measures will be included in draft economic reform laws the government is presenting to parliament in the coming weeks.

Hollande dismissed suggestions that he was trying to "artificially" reduce unemployment as he prepares for a bid to secure re-election in the 2017 presidential election, but the new measures were greeted with scorn by the opposition.

"What planet are Francois Hollande and his government living on if they think it is enough to pay a company that takes someone on a cheque of 1,000 or 2,000 euros?" said Guillaume Larrive, of the right-wing Republicans led by former president Nicolas Sarkozy.

After several years of sluggish growth, the French economy took another blow with the terrorist attacks in November that killed 130 people, which slowed activity in the fourth quarter.Hollande dismissed suggestions that he was trying to "artificially" reduce unemployment as he prepares for a bid to secure re-election in the 2017 presidential election, but the new measures were greeted with scorn by the opposition.

"What planet are Francois Hollande and his government living on if they think it is enough to pay a company that takes someone on a cheque of 1,000 or 2,000 euros?" said Guillaume Larrive, of the right-wing Republicans led by former president Nicolas Sarkozy.

After several years of sluggish growth, the French economy took another blow with the terrorist attacks in November that killed 130 people, which slowed activity in the fourth quarter.