Despite his criticism of bankers and plan for a millionaires' tax, French Socialist Francois Hollande could turn out to be a reforming president, his aides are keen to suggest.On the campaign trail, Hollande espouses a traditional tax-and-spend platform to rally left-wing supporters and preserve his lead in most opinion polls ahead of an April-May presidential election.
But even as he dismays the business sector with planned tax rises and a broadside against the world of finance, Hollande has described himself as "pink", not "red", and aides say he would tread a pragmatic, centrist path in office.
Opinion polls show such rhetoric strikes a chord with left-leaning voters, including supporters of hard leftist Jean-Luc Melenchon, credited with 10 percent in the polls. It also appeals to centrists fed up with economic gloom, high unemployment and a feeling that conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy has shielded the rich with tax breaks.
For more: Analysis: France's Hollande could be secret reformer - chicagotribune.com
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