Sarkozy admits he make mistaces .bbc
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said that he probably made mistakes in his first year in office by failing to explain his policies sufficiently.
But in a live TV interview he also defended his presidency, saying he was still committed to significant reform.
Correspondents say publicity over his private life and the limited impact of his reforms on the struggling economy has damaged Mr Sarkozy's popularity.
The prime time broadcast has been seen as an attempt to reverse that slump.
Appearing on France's two main television channels in a live 10-minute interview, Mr Sarkozy said:
"Without doubt, we didn't explain enough. Without doubt, I myself made some mistakes..."
"I can see very well that there is discontent, but I also know where I am going and I am convinced there is no other strategy."
Economic difficulties
Sarkozy gives live TV interview in France
The president blamed global economic conditions for some of the problems the country has faced, pointing out that the euro has been at "an extraordinary level" since his election, and also citing the subprime mortgage crisis and rising oil prices.
"The conclusion I draw from all that", he said, "is that such shocks make it necessary to reform, to change and to adapt".
 Observers say Mr Sarkozy's marriage to Carla Bruni undermined his image |
Mr Sarkozy swept to victory a year ago on a promise to kick-start the economy.
But economic difficulties, including high inflation, have led to disappointment among a public who rate spending power as one of their main concerns, analysts say.
Secondary-school students, transport workers and dockers have all staged strikes over job cuts, changes to the public services and privatisation plans.
Mr Sarkozy said the country's growth target of 1.9% for 2008 was "perfectly attainable", and reiterated his aim to balance France's budget by 2012.
"France has been asleep for the past 25 years", he said. "We have a difficult international context - all the more reason to accelerate reforms."
He also defended his efforts to change France's 35-hour working week, which he called an "economic catastrophe", saying: "France's problem is that it does not work enough."
Olympic boycott
In the interview, shown on France's two leading television stations, Mr Sarkozy said he was "shocked" by the unrest in Tibet, and added that the province "needs to have greater autonomy".
He said had not decided whether to boycott the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, and would confer with other members of the European Union before coming to a decision, because France will be holding the rotating presidency of the EU at the time.
"That means the 27 countries will have to agree on a common position," he said. "It would be better if on this issue Europe spoke with one voice."
On Afghanistan, the president said he was standing firm in his commitment to increase the French presence.
And he added that he "would not give in" in his efforts to secure the release of Ingrid Betancourt, the French-Colombian hostage held by Colombia's rebel Farc group for over six years.
At the end of the interview, Mr Sarkozy was asked about his private life.
His divorce and subsequent marriage to the former model Carla Bruni are said to have undermined his image as a serious statesman.
All he said on the subject was: "Regarding my private life, everything is back under control."
He emphasised his determination to overcome the problems France is facing, saying: "I'm trying to do my work as best as I can - I dedicate an infinite amount of time to it.
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