France’s Hollande attacks rival Sarkozy over economy

French presidential candidate Francois Hollande opened the new year with a shot across the bow of rival President Nicolas Sarkozy Tuesday. In an open letter published in French newspaper Liberation, Hollande accuses Sarkozy — who is seeking re-election this spring — of failing to do enough to help his people during his term in office. "The French suffer. They suffer in their daily lives. Unemployment is at its highest because growth is at its lowest," writes Hollande, who is widely regarded as Sarkozy's chief rival.