- PARIS: French President Nicolas Sarkozy used his traditional New Year’s televised address to warn voters that the financial crisis that has wracked Europe for most of the last two years is not finished.
Speaking in a taped televised address broadcast on French TV Saturday, Sarkozy warned that 2012 will be “a year full of risks, but also of possibilities.”
It was Sarkozy’s final such address before elections next Spring, with polls showing him trailing Socialist candidate Francois Hollande.
Sarkozy has not even officially declared his candidacy yet, saying in this time of crisis, he needs to focus on being a leader, not a candidate.
Sarkozy said he would assume his responsibilities as head of state “to the fullest” in the remaining months until the election.