Hollande to spur economic growth

  Paris, people are lurking hopes that president-elect Francois Hollande will help spur economic growth rather than continue to focusing on austerity.Sunday's election, Hollande took 51.6 percent of the vote in a narrow win over incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy, who garnered 48.4 percent. The win is the first for the Socialists in 17 years since Francois Mitterrand.On Monday, newspapers and magazines were selling special editions featuring Hollande's victory.

A voter in Paris said Hollande, who values rationality and consensus, could help bring changes that are urgently needed.Public attention is focused on economic issues, amid lingering credit concerns in Europe. Some people say that fiscal reconstruction is needed. Political experts  want France, together with the European community as a whole, to end harsh austerity measures and aim for growth.

Hollnade has never served a ministerial post and his diplomatic ability is unknown. Some said Hollande must learn to become a charismatic leader to properly represent France in the international community.