PARIS, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Over 60 percent of French citizens support the economic stimulus plan unveiled by the country's president, one of the French leading newspapers Le Figaro reported on Saturday.

    According to the latest poll by the IpinionWay Institute, 61 percent of the respondents believe the 26-billion-euro stimulus package will mitigate the impact of the financial crisis in France.

    Some 65 percent approve the efforts by French President Nicolas Sarkozy in countering the financial crisis and 56 percent think the president has done a good job in exercising his presidential duty amid spiraling financial difficulties.

    The two-year stimulus plan includes expansion of public investment and financial aid to real estate business and car industry.

    Meanwhile, the government will also pay promised tax rebates to businesses before the due date and provide subsidies to low-income families so as to boost consumer confidence in the country.

Sarkozy appoints new minister to run economic stimulus plan 

    PARIS, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy has appointed the head of his ruling Union for a Popular Movement party (UMP) Patrick Devedjian the minister responsible for the implementation of a newly announced economic stimulus plan, Sarkozy's office said Friday.

    According to a statement of the Elysee, Devedjian, current secretary general of the French ruling UMP and former Minister of Industry (2004-2005), will occupy a ministerial-level post and report to Prime Minister Francois Fillon. Full story