PARIS - French President Nicolas Sarkozy took pains to explain his policies to ordinary citizens on Thursday, trying to win the hearts and minds of the people over domestic reforms amid his sinking approval ratings.

During the more-than-two-hour conversation with nine citizens from various walks of life, the embattled president elaborated on topics ranging from reforms of the judicial system to domestic security, the French economy's competitiveness, immigrants, employment, education and social welfare.

France's President Nicolas Sarkozy ,seen in the still image taken from video, takes part in a discussion with a panel of members made up from a cross-section of the general public, in Paris, Feb10, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

Sarkozy attributed France's slack labor market to impacts of the international financial crisis and the country's slowness to adjust to a competitive external environment.

The fiscal burdens on companies and high costs of labors have rendered employers unable to fully recruit, thus leading to France's fragile recovery, he explained.

Calling on French people to learn from Germans and work longer and demand less, the president also announced plans to mobilize half billion euros ($680 million) of the state's budget to improve employment by offering jobs and training skills.

On social welfare concerning medical reforms and aging populations, Sarkozy again stressed the creation of "a fifth branch of social security." The new organ, expected this summer, has been mentioned in Sarkozy's New Year greetings.

On the issue of immigration, Sarkozy admitted that multiculturalism in France was "a failure," echoing the view of British Prime Minister David Cameron who believed multiculturalism in his country was to blame for shaping extremist and terrorist ideologies, although the British leader's remarks have already drawn criticism.

Sticking to similar views, Sarkozy has ruled out mass legalization of undocumented immigrants during his tenure.

Replying to a question regarding the recent controversy over Foreign Minister Michele Alliot-Marie and Prime Minister Francois Fillon, who spent Christmas holidays respectively in Tunisia and Egypt, Sarkozy admitted that Alliot-Marie's decision "was not the best idea."

But he defended Fillon's journey to Egypt at the invitation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, denying any of his misconduct, saying the premier has "not misused one penny of the public money, " which was also true for Alliot-Marie's case.

On social security and the judicial system, Sarkozy vowed to adopt new measures against juvenile delinquency and to introduce juries in criminal courts "before summer."

Latest polls have showed worse approval ratings for Sarkozy. At the beginning of February, pollster TNS Sofres Logica said only 24 percent of the French people still supported the president. Local media described the rating as being "never so bad."

Sarkozy's latest media presence is widely considered a bid to shore up his popularity ahead of next year's election.