New French president: Unpleasant to hear Romanian, Polish friends speaking English, but I understand the need

The newly elected French president Francois Hollande ( in picture) recently said it is unpleasant for him to sometimes hear his friends – Romanians, Poles, Portuguese, Italians – speaking in English, even though he understands the need to use English in informal conversations, he said in an interview for Slate.fr.

“Yes I speak English, more fluently than the former President. But a French president has to speak French!” said Hollande. He added that a president needs to understand English and be able to speak to other world leaders. Sarkozy has been known for his inflexible attitude towards migrants, and the fact that Hollande mentions Romanians and Poles among his friends is another indicator that Hollande's attitude towards immigrants might be more relaxed, according to analysts. The full interview with Francois Hollande here. (in French) Socialist Hollande won the elections in French last Sunday (May 6 ), becoming the first socialist president in the last 17 years in France. He took 51.62 percent of the votes, outranking former president Nicholas Sarkozy. He will take office on May 15. editor@romania-insider.com