Francois Hollande staked his presidency on a promise to revive growth and cut unemployment. Five years later, he’s become the most unpopular leader in France’s postwar history, and the first not to seek a second mandate.<br /><br /> He leaves plenty of work to whoever will succeed him next spring.<br /><br /> Hollande’s key pledge was to create jobs. When he took office in 2012, the national unemployment rate stood at 9.3 percent. Now it’s 9.7 percent.<br /><br /> The lack of progress has deeply frustrated – even alienated – voters.<br /><br /> Earlier this year, a labour reform making it easier for companies to adjust working hours and lay off staff sparked months of protests.<br /><br /> Ever-changing tax code, sluggish growth<br /><br /> Another ground for frustration is taxation.<br /><br /> France has the biggest tax burden in Europe, at almost 48 percent of GDP. Experts say streamlining the ever-changing tax code should now be a priority.<br /><br /> Hollande hiked taxes on households by more than 50 billion euros. He later rolled out 40 billion worth of tax breaks – but for businesses, angering many among the Left.<br /><br /> Hollande can claim some success halting the economy’s decline since the 2008 crisis. Still, it’s only forecast to grow 1.4 percent this year – far from the 2.5 percent aimed for at the start of his term.<br /><br /> Not impressive to most voters. Most say the economy will play a key role in the upcoming presidential election.<br />
