French President Francois Hollande has said he will not seek re-election in 2017 if he fails to cut unemployment.
In a televised interview, Mr Hollande acknowledged he had
made mistakes since taking office in 2012 but vowed to go "to the end"
to reform the economy.
The BBC's Lucy Williamson in Paris says the interview is
widely seen as an attempt by Mr Hollande to revive his flagging
popularity.Earlier on Thursday, a new poll put the president's approval rating at 12%.
Unemployment in France is currently at 11% and economic growth has all but ground to a halt.
With Mr Hollande's popularity at an all-time low, the far-right Front National led by Marine Le Pen has been making steady gains.
"I've got a thick skin. For two-and-a-half years I've been hanging on," said Mr Hollande.
"I have made mistakes. Who hasn't?"
