Sarkozy wants fewer foreigners in France

PARIS, March 7 (UPI) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he wants to cut the number of foreigners in France by nearly half from 180,000 to 100,000.

Sakozy told a French television program that he also wants to reduce the number of visas for foreigners married to French citizens from 25,000 per year to 15,000, Radio France Internationale reported Wednesday.

In addition, the French president proposed restricting social aid to foreigners based on their presence in the country and their participation in the labor market.

His remarks drew criticism from the left in France.

Green party politician Daniel Cohn-Bendit, of German nationality, said he had trouble sleeping after hearing what Sarkozy said.

Cohn-Bendit called the comments dangerous and said they were an attempt to scapegoat certain communities during a time of economic crisis.

Social presidential candidate Francois Hollande said tightening marital laws would just increase the number of appeals.