David Cameron vows to ‘work closely’ with new French president

DAVID Cameron has pledged to work “very closely” with France’s new president, Francois Hollande.

The Prime Minister made the vow during a phone call to congratulate him on his election triumph.

The Socialist leader defeated Nicolas Sarkozy after railing against austerity plans and threatening to block planned EU fiscal measures unless new growth measures are secured.

The PM did not meet Mr Hollande when he visited Paris in February and had indicated his support for Mr Sarkozy in the contest.

But the pair have agreed to work together.

A Number 10 spokeswoman said: “They both look forward to working very closely together in the future and building on the very close relationship that already exists between the UK and France.”

In his victory speech Mr Hollande said he was “proud to have been capable of giving people hope again”.

Labour leader Ed Miliband said: “I congratulate Francois Hollande on his election as President of France.

“I know from our conversations in London earlier this year and from his victory speech of his determination to help create a Europe of growth and jobs, in a way that is responsible and sustainable.”

The new French president is determined to re-open the EU’s new “fiscal treaty” to balance its austerity drive with commitments on restoring growth.

The move puts him at odds with German chancellor Angela Merkel and her insistence on austerity measures as a priority to prop up the eurozone.