Shedding Popularity, France's Hollande Considers Rule by Decree

Because that will win over the doubters

French President Francois Hollande has promised to weed out underperforming ministers as he strives to win back support from a public impatient over still unfulfilled promises to restore jobs and growth.

The Socialist Hollande, whose poll ratings are among the worst for a post-World War Two French leader, told weekly magazine Paris Match his ministers would be judged on their results just as he has asked voters to do with him.

Hollande and his government have pleaded for time for reforms to bear fruit after his one-year anniversary in power was marked on Sunday by mass street protests.

But he said he was prepared to legislate more by decree to get future measures into law faster, and would change his team to ensure economic reforms were implemented.