Chirac stresses need for reform despite poll setback

French President Jacques Chirac vowed to press on with unpopular reforms that led to a stinging electoral defeat for his fellow conservatives, but moderated his tone and said that he had heard the message from disgruntled voters.

Mr Chirac last night laid out his priorities – focusing on jobs and economic growth – in a TV interview a day after announcing a broad shake-up of the government of Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin.