71.   Balladur also vowed to continue his strong franc policy, to boost growth and restrain the cost of welfare.

72.   But he added that a growing number of operators think Chirac, who took office on Wednesday, might well jettison the strong franc dogma.

73.   Chirac is expected to reiterate the strong franc policy while re-pledging France to joining the first wave of countries joining a European single currency.

74.   Faced with a strong French franc, people are spending less.

75.   The worst scenario would be a U-turn on reforms but maintenance of the strong franc policy.

76.   They said that foreign investors remained unconvinced that the new administration would stand by policies to keep the franc strong.

77.   Traders said they were worried Madelin might be less bullish than predecessors on the strong franc policy.

78.   It has warned persistently that relaxation of the strong franc policy would cause long-term rates to rise.

79.   Juppe is a strong supporter of the single European currency, a strong franc and cutting deficits.

80.   Late on Tuesday Chirac had insisted that he, too, backed policies for a strong franc.