FACTBOX - Policies of French presidential candidate Sarkozy

PARIS (Reuters) - French President Jacques Chirac said on Wednesday he backed Nicolas Sarkozy's presidential bid, overcoming hostility between the two in a move that could bolster the right's campaign.

Chirac also said that Sarkozy would leave his post as interior minister in the centre-right government on Monday, an announcement that had been expected ahead of the first round of the election on April 22.

Following are key policies floated by Sarkozy in major speeches given over the past six months.

THE ECONOMY/EMPLOYMENT

- exempt overtime from taxes and social security charges

- says a cut of four percentage points in tax/social charges would return 68 billion euros to the French people.

- has called for a single labour contract, with social rights increasing over time, flexibility he says will encourage employers to hire more.

- critical of "golden parachutes" and stock options that are confined only to company bosses.

- 35 hour work week, retirement at 60 should be retained, but viewed as a minimum, not maximum, with people free to work more or longer if they want