Sarkozy steps up war on ‘extremists’

President Nicolas Sarkozy promised on the 27 March 2012 to speed up the deportation of 'extremists' and pledged to bar entry to France of anyone proclaiming 'unspeakable' views as he reinforced his uncompromising reaction to the Toulouse terrorist killings of the previous two weeks.

But there were signs, including from Mr Sarkozy himself, that the campaign for the presidential election was beginning to return to normal, with less than four weeks to go until the first round of voting on the 22 April 2012.

For Mr François Hollande, the opposition Socialist candidate, the change of focus cannot come soon enough. With figures out showing the number of job seekers rising in February for the sixth month in a row to the highest levels since 1999, the Socialist candidate is eager to tackle Mr Sarkozy on his economic record.

ESO: Background information: French presidential election, 2012 http://www.europeansources.info/record/french-presidential-election-2012/

ESO: Background information: Sarkozy focus on security after Toulouse / Hollande hits back at Sarkozy on security http://www.europeansources.info/record/sarkozy-focus-on-security-after-toulouse-hollande-hits-back-at-sarkozy-on-security/

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