Swift adjustment to dilute disapproval

Compared with cabinet reshuffle, social reform is no doubt a much harder job for Sarkozy, even with a new lineup of ministers.

Actually, the ambitious French leader has signaled a slowdown in the pace of reform before the regional election, saying the reforms will be put on hold in 2011 as parliament needs time to adjust to the measures already adopted.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Francois Fillon announced in low spirits that the July deadline for the carbon tax should be crossed out, saying the levy should be imposed at the European level first. To a certain degree, this is the same as quitting.

Winning back public trust painstaking work

However, it remains a hard job to win back public trust. Union leaders immediately dismissed the reshuffle, saying it would do nothing to revive the economy and accusing Sarkozy of failing to understand that the mood had changed in France.

In the political arena, apart from the left-wing's challenge, former Prime Minister Villepin called to create a party within the right bloc, a war cry against Sarkozy.

With many issues unresolved, public disappointment with the ruling party seems understandable. Before the decisive regional elections, Sarkozy's personal approval rating fell to 36 percent, hitting its lowest point.

The latest Ipsos poll published Monday in the weekly magazine Le Point showed that over 58 percent of French people said they didn't want Sarkozy to run for re-election in 2012.

In response to the declining approval rate, early this month, Sarkozy launched strategies for economic development over the next ten years to address the economic problems.

Recently, the president showed his good will by paying condolence to the family of the policeman who died at his post. A state funeral for the policeman was held on Tuesday to highlight Sarkozy's determination to address the security issue.

With the remaining presidency full of challenges from inside and outside the political spectrum, Sarkozy's run for re-election in 2012 looks like a long shot.