The index remains negative, but it shows there is still internal demand and that consumers' economic reality may not be as bad as indicators describe it.

The recovery remains very fragile. Consumption slowed, investments are still subdued, and exports are having difficulty picking up.

Even before the negative impact of the (youth employment measure) crisis on the economy, the evolution of industrial production in February already gives a picture of the current state of the French economy - in free fall.

We are paying for the strong level of the euro, ... An American would think twice before coming to France on holiday.

Either we head into a more serious crisis, which will hit economic growth, or we abandon reform for a year. In both cases it is a failure for France.

Companies are worried. The situation could become much more difficult in the second quarter.