PARIS: Nicolas Sarkozy took office in May promising to “do what I say I’ll do”, but as his first batch of reforms pass through parliament, the French president’s major political challenges still lie ahead.

Opinion polls suggest two-thirds of French voters are pleased with Sarkozy’s first 12 weeks in office which featured a burst of diplomatic activity.

Parliament has approved a package of fiscal stimulus measures aimed at helping homebuyers and workers on overtime as well as tougher sentencing rules for young offenders and measures to make universities more autonomous.

But there are signs that Sarkozy’s approach to policy is less uncompromising than his campaign rhetoric, which may be significant when his centre-right government tackles reforms to labour and pensions.

The last of a raft of measures promised before the summer break will clear parliament on Thursday. This bill to guarantee a minimum level of service during public transport strikes was regarded before the May election as a litmus test of Sarkozy’s reform credentials.

The president is now starting a three-week holiday at an undisclosed destination to prepare for the battles ahead.

“The real test for the Sarkozy government will come after the summer break,” said Jean-Francois Doridot, director of pollsters Ipsos Public Affairs.

BLEMISH: A pledge to boost innovation by giving universities more autonomy was diluted when his government dropped plans for selective masters degree courses for fear of student protests.

Promised tax breaks on mortgage interest payments were less generous than many had expected after the government faced criticism from European partners over its heavy public debt.

The announcement this week that only 22,700 retiring civil servants would not be replaced next year, instead of a promised 35,000-40,000 cut, left many of Sarkozy’s supporters unhappy.

“The decision not to replace one civil servant in two when they retire was one of the standout promises of the campaign, a key to the break from the past,” the conservative daily Le Figaro said in an editorial.

“Even if that represents progress compared with previous years, it’s a serious blemish with regard to the commitments made during the campaign.”

Sarkozy made much of his determination to shake up France with his pledge of a “rupture” with the policies of past governments, which repeatedly backed down from unpopular reforms in the face of real or threatened street protests.

But unions have vowed not to be acquiescent and gave a first taste this week of what might lie ahead with a protest in front of the National Assembly against restrictions on the right to strike.

Opposition is likely to potentially painful changes in pension rules, particularly generous retirement conditions for around 5 million public sector workers.

And Sarkozy will meet resistance to his plan for a new flexible labour contract aimed at encouraging hiring by easing restrictive job protections, a sensitive issue in a country deeply attached to lifelong job security.

“Public opinion is very favourable to many of the reforms but that’s in principle and it could easily change if there is major union opposition,” Doridot said.—Reuters