Sarkozy: thinly spread?

This week is a busy one for French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is still enjoying a public opinion 'honeymoon' at home, even as he steps on toes abroad. As well as joining a meeting of European Union finance ministers on Monday -- unusual for a head of state -- he will also attempt to rework the leadership of European aerospace company EADS in preparation for a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on July 16.

His assertiveness has raised eyebrows in Europe. Portugal, the current holder of the EU Presidency, was predictably angry at his proposal to delay balancing the French budget for two years while he cuts taxes and gives his economy a 'fiscal shock'. Germany, whose recovering economy should allow it to balance its own budget quicker than expected, was also critical. New UK Finance Minister Alistair Darling attacked Sarkozy's call for the European Central Bank to concentrate on growth rather than inflation.

Nor will his plans for EADS meet with a happy reception. He reportedly proposed that French co-Chief Executive Louis Gallois take sole control of the company and suggested a German chairman.  Yet Germany may be unhappy at its loss of influence, and troubled EADS subsidiary Airbus will not want to lose Gallois, who has been implementing its 'Power8' restructuring plan.

Domestically, the leader of the Socialist opposition has criticised what he perceives as the president's omnipotence, coining a 'Tsarkozy' soubriquet for the leader. The loss of political heavyweight Alain Juppe from the cabinet after legislative elections has left few figures willing to challenge the president's decisions, encouraging him to range across policy areas. 

Sarkozy's energy makes a stark contrast with his the style of his predecessor Jacques Chirac, who was embattled and ill at the end of his Presidency. It raises hopes for necessary reforms at home and at EU level. However, Sarkozy risks spreading himself too thin, and like previous activist leaders he may find that he cannot pursue all his goals -- such as becoming a European power broker as well as a champion of French industry -- simultaneously.