Nieuwe Franse regering treedt aan (en)

French president Jacques Chirac yesterday (31 March) unveiled a new-look French government with several of the senior positions changed.

The changes are mainly inspired by his party's overwhelming defeat in recent regional elections, where the centre-right government sustained heavy losses.

The blame for this defeat has fallen mainly on the shoulders of the unpopular prime minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin.

Mr Raffarin tendered his resignation to Mr Chirac at the beginning of the week but was instead asked to stay on and form a new government. It is widely believed that he has a short time to prove that he can produce results - some say 100 days.

His unpopularity stems from measures introduced to reform the French pension system and other public sector reforms but he has pledged that the reform process will continue.

His reappointment has angered both politicians on the left and the general public, many of whom claim that their voice has not been heard.

Rising star

The main winner in the reshuffle is former interior minister Nicolas Sarkozy.

Mr Sarkozy is widely seen as a rival to Mr Chirac and has made no secret of his Presidential ambitions. This is thought to be why he was not promoted to the post of prime minister.

But he has been handed the role of finance, economics and industry minister, replacing Francis Mer who is the victim of the executioner's axe.

Even the respected and talented Mr Sarkozy will find the finance portfolio challenging. His task is to boost growth in a sluggish French economy, fight high unemployment and reduce France's famously ballooning budget deficit, which sees Paris periodically at odds with the European Commission.

Given the seemingly impossible nature of the task confronting him, many suspect he has been given the finance job as a "poisoned chalice" by Mr Chirac in an attempt to stop him in his tracks, but if he succeeds at the finance ministry, his leadership ambitions will be boosted.

Economically speaking, Mr Sarkozy is known as a liberal, favouring tax cuts to stimulate growth in the economy. This will not help him in the battle against France's budget deficit where tax rises or public spending cuts will be required to satisfy the rules imposed by the EU's Stability and Growth Pact.

A "European" Foreign Minister

France's new foreign minister is Michel Barnier, who, until yesterday was the EU's regional policy commissioner.

His Brussels links may help smooth over two main sticking points in European affairs - the French clash with the Commission over the euro rules and the Constitution.

Musical chairs

Mr Barnier will replace Dominique de Villepin who is to become interior minister instead.

In contrast to Mr Sarkozy, Mr de Villepin is widely seen as an ally of Mr Chirac's and his appointment to this important role is expected to act as a counterbalance to Mr Sarkozy's power.

Overall, the Raffarin government now consists of 44 members, compared to 39 before the reshuffle and some more junior posts have also been moved about.

Social affairs minister Francois Fillon moves to the education ministry. Other high-profile names were removed from the cabinet, such as former President of the European Parliament Nicole Fontaine.