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| Europe |
| Sarko says no to 'slowdown in reforms' |
| 2008-03-20 |
| French President says there would be no slowdowns in reform plans despite the fact that his party suffered big losses in local elections. Nicolas Sarkozy announced a minor cabinet reshuffle but vowed Wednesday to pursue reform plans after his centre-right UMP party's losses at the weekend. "These elections were the expression of expectations, impatience and also questioning over whether commitments made during the presidential campaign will be kept, given the current economic climate which everyone sees as increasingly difficult," Sarkozy said in an address to the new cabinet. "The worst answer would be to slow down change," he said. "In the global economic storm, we must stay the course. There will be no change of direction, no slowdown in reforms and no austerity plan". Sarkozy appointed six junior ministers and broadened the portfolios of 12 ministers in a shakeup of his government that came after opposition Socialists took key cities in municipal elections this month. Elysee sources said the president is changing his style to project a more statesmanlike image after earning the nickname "Bling-Bling president" for his glitzy romance with Italian model Carla Bruni, whom he married last month. |
| Posted by:Fred |