PARIS — Francois Hollande, the Socialist “Mr Normal” who will be sworn in as French president next week, says he is worth almost 1.2 million euros ($1.5 million), considerably less than his predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy.

Hollande, who campaigned on a promise to ditch the showbiz style that won Sarkozy the nickname of “President Bling Bling,” says in a declaration published on Friday that his principal asset is a house on France’s southern Riviera coast.

The declaration shows that Hollande, who rents his apartment in Paris but could now move into the presidential Elysee Palace, has declared assets of 1.17 million euros, primarily the house of 130 square metres in the chic Riviera village of Mougins.

Other assets declared are bank accounts worth 8,200 euros, a life insurance contract worth 3,550 euros and 15,000 euros of furniture, said the declaration.

The man who used to travel to work by scooter, and described himself as “Mr Normal” during campaigning, does not own a car, the declaration says. — AFP