French presidential candidate Hollande: Renegotiate European treaty right away
PARIS - French presidential frontrunner Francois Hollande says that, if elected, he will immediately ask other European leaders to renegotiate a treaty aimed at reducing debts across the continent.
Hollande said if he wins the May 6 presidential election, he would send a letter the next day to other leaders with a proposal for a "growth pact" to add to the existing treaty, which focuses on tightening budgets. Hollande wants the growth pact to include jointly issued euro bonds to finance infrastructure projects.
Polls suggest Hollande will win the election, unseating conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel led the push for Europe's budget treaty. Hollande told reporters Wednesday he is "ready to open this discussion ... with Madame Merkel."
