French President Outlines New Economic Plans

　　The embattled president of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, is outlining new economic proposals during a broadcast Sunday that observers say is aimed at boosting his poor standing¹ with voters ahead of April's general election.

　　Though Sarkozy has yet to announce his candidacy, he is widely expected to face Socialist² Francois Hollande, who is polling ahead in public opinion surveys, as he seeks a second six-year term.

　　Sarkozy's plan calls for an increase in the value-added tax on goods and services while employer's payroll³ contributions would be cut. The French leader's proposals are aimed at addressing the country's rampant⁴ unemployment with nearly three million people are out of work.

　　The French leader is also proposing a tax on financial transactions in France that he wants other European Union (EU) nations to adopt.

　　Sarkozy's television appearance comes two weeks after France lost its top triple-A credit rating and just a week after Hollande launched his presidential campaign with a speech attacking what he termed "the world of high finance."

　　Also Sunday, in Athens, the Greek Prime Minister, Lucas Papademos, met with the leaders of the country's three main political parties and later in a statement said there was complete agreement on the austerity measures needed to reduce Greece's debt and save it from bankruptcy⁵.

　　The deal, due to be finalized⁶ later in the week, would qualify Greece for a new bailout from the EU and the International Monetary⁷ Fund.

　　Greece must secure a new $169 billion loan package within the next few weeks to avoid defaulting on financial obligations due in March.

1 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

2 socialist   

n.社会主义者；adj.社会主义的

参考例句：

• China is a socialist country,and a developing country as well.中国是一个社会主义国家，也是一个发展中国家。
• His father was an ardent socialist.他父亲是一个热情的社会主义者。

3 payroll   

n.工资表，在职人员名单，工薪总额

参考例句：

• His yearly payroll is $1.2 million.他的年薪是120万美元。
• I can't wait to get my payroll check.我真等不及拿到我的工资单了。

4 rampant   

adj.(植物)蔓生的；狂暴的，无约束的

参考例句：

• Sickness was rampant in the area.该地区疾病蔓延。
• You cannot allow children to rampant through the museum.你不能任由小孩子在博物馆里乱跑。

5 bankruptcy   

n.破产；无偿付能力

参考例句：

• You will have to pull in if you want to escape bankruptcy.如果你想避免破产，就必须节省开支。
• His firm is just on thin ice of bankruptcy.他的商号正面临破产的危险。

6 finalized   

vt.完成（finalize的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• The draft of this article has been finalized [done]. 这篇文章已经定稿。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The draft was revised several times before it was finalized. 稿子几经删改才定下来。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

7 monetary   

adj.货币的，钱的；通货的；金融的；财政的

参考例句：

• The monetary system of some countries used to be based on gold.过去有些国家的货币制度是金本位制的。
• Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。