A slimmed-down EU presidency

Jean-Marie Colombani, former editor in chief of Le Monde newspaper, analyses expectations for the French EU Council presidency, which begins in July: "Nicolas Sarkozy is taking the matter very much to heart and began with great enthusiasm. After the successful renegotiation of the constitution text, which became the Treaty of Lisbon, everything pointed to a very intense French presidency which could allow the EU to get back on its feet. But as the date draws closer it is becoming clear that French ambitions are waning. ... Sarkozy's idealism is increasingly making way for realism. France will have to be content with acting on three fronts: immigration, energy and the environment. And that is only if the Irish reef can be circumvented. Because if the no side prevails in the referendum on the Treaty, no one knows what will be in store for Europe."

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