FRANCE2012-ELECTIONS-PS-HOLLANDE-LABOUR-VISIT

France’s opposition Socialist Party (PS) candidate for the 2012 presidential election Francois Hollande arrives at ArcelorMittal steel factory to meet workers on February 24, 2012 during a campaign visit. ArcelorMittal said yesterday it has presented to French labor union representatives a proposal to extend into the second quarter the temporary idling of part of its Florange steel plant, as a result of continued weak European steel demand, but said it will continue investing in its French sites. ArcelorMittal last year shut down its two blast furnaces at Florange in response to weak steel demand, but is still operating other facilities at the plant including hot and cold rolling mills, a coke plant, and coating lines. AFP PHOTO / JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN