Francois Hollande Quotes

Powerful Francois Hollande for Daily Growth

About Francois Hollande

Francois Hollande, born on August 12, 1954, in Rouen, France, served as the President of France from 2012 to 2017. Before his presidential tenure, he was a prominent member of the Socialist Party (PS) and played significant roles within the party's leadership. Hollande's political journey began early when he joined the PS in 1974. He studied at the Institut d'études politiques de Paris and later pursued a law degree. Hollande's political beliefs were heavily influenced by Jean-Paul Sartre, Jacques Delors, and François Mitterrand, all prominent French intellectuals and politicians. In 1983, Hollande was elected as the Mayor of Tulle, a position he held until 1994. In 1997, he became the Regional Councillor for the Limousin region and served until his presidency. Hollande's major works include co-authoring "The Other France" (2005) with Raphaël Glucksmann, a critique of French society that highlighted social inequality. As President, Hollande prioritized job creation, economic reform, and addressing climate change. Notably, he legalized same-sex marriage in 2013. Hollande's personal life has also been significant, especially his relationship with Valérie Trierweiler, the French journalist who served as the First Lady during his presidency. The couple separated in 2014. Hollande then began a relationship with actress Julie Gayet, which became public shortly before his term ended. Post-presidency, Hollande has focused on humanitarian issues and international relations, serving as Special Envoy of the United Nations' Secretary-General for the Sahel region from 2018 to 2019.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The only solution is a political solution."

This quote by François Hollande suggests that resolving complex issues, especially those with a significant political or societal impact, can't be achieved solely through military means or individual actions. Instead, the key lies in negotiating and finding a compromise through political discussions, collaboration, and diplomacy. It emphasizes the importance of dialogue, understanding, and cooperation in solving problems that affect communities on a broader scale.


"France will always be the land where the Marseillaise is sung, not the daesh anthem."

This quote by François Hollande emphasizes France's identity and unity, stressing that the French national anthem, La Marseillaise, symbolizes France, while Daesh (ISIS or Islamic State) has no place in defining or representing it. The statement underscores a strong sense of national pride and resistance to extremism and terrorism. It also reflects the resilience and perseverance of the French people in maintaining their values, culture, and heritage amidst adversity.


"We have to protect our citizens from terrorism and extremism."

This quote by Francois Hollande highlights the importance of maintaining security and safety for all citizens, particularly in an environment where terrorism and extremism pose threats. The statement suggests that governments should prioritize policies and actions aimed at preventing acts of violence and radicalization that could harm their communities, while ensuring respect for human rights and democratic values. In essence, it underscores the essential role of balanced and proactive governance in preserving peace, stability, and a secure environment for its citizens.


"We must believe in our power to change things."

Francois Hollande's quote, "We must believe in our power to change things," highlights the importance of optimism and personal agency in bringing about positive change. It suggests that if we trust ourselves and our collective capacity for action, we can effect meaningful transformations in our lives, communities, and society as a whole. This quote serves as a call-to-action, urging individuals to cultivate a mindset that empowers them to take control of their circumstances and work towards creating a better world.


"We are a great country, we have a great history, but also great responsibilities."

This quote by François Hollande emphasizes that France, with its rich history and considerable influence, carries significant obligations towards upholding its stature as a prominent nation. It suggests that greatness comes with the expectation of taking on substantial responsibilities, both domestically and internationally, to maintain peace, promote progress, and ensure the well-being of its citizens and global communities.


In August 2012, the international community should have been far more determined in dealing with the Bashar Assad regime.

- Francois Hollande

Dealing, Been, Regime, August

Whatever happened during the French presidential campaign will leave no hard feelings. I perfectly understand why Angela Merkel supported Nicolas Sarkozy because of the action they have taken together, even though I have questioned its results, and because of their shared political sensibility.

- Francois Hollande

Shared, Perfectly, Angela, Sensibility

In an election, one needs both hope and audacity.

- Francois Hollande

Hope, Election, Needs, Audacity

If I become president, France will not continue with the same policies as under Nicolas Sarkozy - both in domestic policy and in foreign and European policy.

- Francois Hollande

Will, Policies, European, Domestic Policy

One thing that makes France different from other countries is the tradition of social solidarity. People from all backgrounds and political positions are willing to contribute for services and protection of society as a whole - but on the condition that money is being spent effectively and that everyone is paying their part.

- Francois Hollande

Other, Part, Willing, Backgrounds

I am not deaf. I hear the anger. I see the dissatisfaction, and I have to go faster.

- Francois Hollande

I Am, See, Faster, Dissatisfaction

I must demonstrate I'm closer to people - a simpler, calmer presence, yet someone who can also make decisions and obtain promised results.

- Francois Hollande

Obtain, Also, Promised, Simpler

France is no longer herself when she is folded in on herself, tormented by ignorance and intolerance. The country would plunge into decline if it refused to be itself, if it was afraid of the future, afraid of the world.

- Francois Hollande

She, Country, Refused, Plunge

The concept of the terrorists is to plunge our country into division.

- Francois Hollande

Country, Division, Concept, Plunge

Europe needs an engine, and the Franco-German motor has provided that when the two nations have converged on important topics during critical periods. But that partnership shouldn't be a directorate for other EU members.

- Francois Hollande

Other, Needs, Motor, EU

I attach the greatest importance to an amplification of the peace efforts in the Middle East. I would also like to see a greater dialogue between the U.S. and the EU.

- Francois Hollande

Middle, Like, Importance, EU

A jolt is necessary. Europe must reaffirm it values of freedom, solidarity, peace. The EU must be understood and controlled by its citizens. I will do everything to secure profound change rather than decline.

- Francois Hollande

Will, Necessary, Rather, EU

What is happening in the Sahel for the past several months is that terrorists have structured themselves, have installed themselves. It's not simply a menace for west Africa.

- Francois Hollande

Past, Africa, Months, Menace

ISIL struck France because it is 'free' and 'the nation of human rights'. This is not a war of civilisation, as these assassins don't have any. This is a war against the jihadist menace that threatens not just France.

- Francois Hollande

War, Nation, Against, Menace

We need intelligence services to fight against terrorism, but they have to respect the principles of good relationships between allies and protect personal, confidential data.

- Francois Hollande

Data, Need, Against, Allies

I could have made a fortune in cheeseburgers, but I finally chose politics.

- Francois Hollande

Politics, Fortune, Could, Chose

When I took part in European leaders summits, it was sometimes unpleasant for me to hear Romanian, Polish, Portuguese, and Italian friends speak English, although I admit that on an informal basis, first contacts can be made in this language. Nevertheless, I will defend everywhere the use of the French language.

- Francois Hollande

Nevertheless, Unpleasant, French Language

I am attached to the French language. I will defend the ubiquitous use of French.

- Francois Hollande

I Am, Will, Ubiquitous, French Language

Before you, I engage myself to serve my country with the devotion and the exemplary that this post demands. I understand responsibilities of the job and, as such, I give a republican salute to Nicolas Sarkozy who has led France for 5 years and who deserves all of our respect.

- Francois Hollande

Republican, Country, Before, Exemplary

That is now my mission: to provide a European vision of growth, employment, prosperity - in one word, our future.

- Francois Hollande

Vision, European, Our, Employment

My mission is to put France back on its feet. The priority is employment. Efforts have to be made, but those efforts must be made fairly.

- Francois Hollande

Feet, Made, Fairly, Employment

France needs to improve training and education and the level of skills of its workforce.

- Francois Hollande

Education, Skills, Needs, Workforce

It is intolerable that in our country citizens should feel so upset and under assault because of their religious choice that they would conclude that they have to hide.

- Francois Hollande

Country, Religious, Assault, Intolerable

If Europe does not advance, it will fall or even be wiped out from the world map... My duty is to bring Europe out of its lethargy.

- Francois Hollande

Will, Bring, Wiped, Map

Be happy, be proud, be generous, be respectful, be proud to be French citizens.

- Francois Hollande

Happy, Proud, Generous, French

I bow down in memory of the victims, and I come to tell my Armenian friends that we will never forget the tragedies that your people has endured.

- Francois Hollande

Memory, Will, Tell, Armenian

Our only goal is to strengthen the opposition and to avoid the dilemma whereby we only have the choice between Bashar Assad and al-Qaeda.

- Francois Hollande

Goal, Opposition, Our, Al-Qaeda

There must be protection of the external borders.

- Francois Hollande

Protection, Borders, Must, External

During a term in office there are highs and lows, but what counts is that the goal is set as well as the means to achieve it, and the force we put into getting results.

- Francois Hollande

Goal, Set, Means, Highs

France, because it was attacked cowardly, shamelessly, violently, France will be merciless against the barbarians of Daesh.

- Francois Hollande

Will, Violently, Cowardly, Merciless

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.