Sarkozy`s Reform Drive Finally Bears Fruit

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has had a rough first year in office, with his approval rating dropping to 32 percent, the lowest for a French head of state since the foundation of the Fifth Republic.

Instead of backing down, however, he accelerated the pace of reform. This month, he saw his approval rating rise above 40 percent.

○ Unrelenting public reform

Sarkozy did not confine his reform drive to public workers, state-owned firms and schools. Institutes and even the military were also included. The announcement by France`s National Centre for Scientific Research of its reorganization into eight departments prompted a massive strike by 1,000 researchers.

A defense white paper also declared radical streamlining involving a troop cut of over 50,000. Top brass protested the plan, posting a commentary blasting the government in the French daily Le Figaro.

No reform has gone without a backlash since Sarkozy’s inauguration, as a series of strikes and protests have followed each government announcement. With the president losing public trust in the wake of his divorce and remarriage in less than three months, his reform drive was seemingly on the verge of collapse.

Sarkozy, however, stuck to his guns. His prime minister and cabinet joined forces to support their president, and showed no hesitation in backing his reforms.

○ No retreat despite dismal approval ratings

Reform of France’s national pension spurred public strikes for two weeks. The government then launched a drive to increase the extension from 40 to 41 months of the period during which contributions must be paid to secure a full pension, following a similar measure at the end of last year.

Sarkozy stood firm in public sector reform despite French civil servants and teachers often staging protests and strikes over layoffs. Education Minister Xavier Darcos clarified the government’s intent to achieve its goal, saying, “Up to 30,000 teachers have been idle because of no students to teach.”

The French National Assembly has postponed its summer recess to finish reviews on constitutional revision and other reforms.

○ Reforms reflected in daily life

Certain reforms have chanted daily life in France. For example, large discount retailers by law had been barred from opening Sundays. For this reason, people had to prepare food in advance for weekends or face the burden of paying higher prices at smaller retailers.

Things have changed, however. More large retailers are open Sundays. Moreover, tenants now have to pay a security deposit of one month’s rent instead of two.

pisong@donga.com