PARIS, March 13 (Xinhua) -- French scandal-hit presidential candidate Francois Fillon, weakened by alleged public fund misuse, on Monday unveiled a detailed economic project whose priorities are to "liberate, protect and reconcile."
Two days ahead a hearing by magistrates investigating into claims that he paid hefty salaries for his wife and their two children for little work, Fillon defended "a project which is based on ambition to make France a great country."
"Those who denounce a purge are all wrong...Unlike a large number of elites, the French has understood," he said.
"With ambitious and realistic measures, my project is radically different from that of my rivals," he added.
Despite critics over the "brutality" of his program, the conservative contender stuck to a series of liberal measures he announced during the primary in November 2016 such as the end of the 35 hour-working week, cut of 500,000 public services workers, tax on wealth, a reform of health insurance system.
Furthermore, he proposed a cut of 40 billion euros (42.62 billion U.S. dollars) in social spending to create a "competitiveness shock." He also targeted to double the number of medium-sized companies in a decade and create 3.5 million jobs.
Campaigning for budget rigour to put the country's economy on recovery track, ex-prime minister wants to increase working time to 39 hours, trim public spending by 100 billion euros over next five years and prolong retirement age to 65.
"I am not asking the French for their efforts, but I propose to them a return to prosperity," he said.
As terrorism risks remain high at home, the conservative candidate has promised to raise next year's defense budget with the reinforcement of the operational capacities, the modernization of the police's means and the revival of the European defense project.
Once the favorite to be France's next head of state, Fillon, 63, has been trailing in third place due to allegation of public fund misuse which threw his campaign out of track and has given a boost to the centrist rival Emmanuel Macron.
Repeatedly rejecting allegation, he promised to "prevent conflicts of interest and (ensure) the proper use of public funds," adding that ministers would be required to sign a code of conduct.
Struggling to revive a flattering campaign, Fillon's bid was likely to be dealt another blow after Le Journal du Dimanche newspaper claimed that he received gifts of suits and other clothing worth a total of 48,500 euros since 2012 from a Paris tailor.
Under French laws, lawmakers have to declare all donations or gifts worth over 150 euros.(1 euro = 1.06 U.S. dollars)
