Another week, another minister

PARIS - After a quick succession of finance ministers, France needs a period of stability at the helm to produce the robust growth and jobs voters demand, politicians say.

Outgoing France Telecom chief Thierry Breton has just spent his first weekend in his new post as the country's finance minister being briefed by top civil servants ahead of the formal handover.

The mop-haired former maths teacher's weekend activity signalled a desire to transfer his hands-on management style from France Telecom to the finance ministry headquarters.

He has taken over from Herve Gaymard, whose three-month tenure was ended by a scandal over the high cost of his luxury state-paid apartment.

"He's the seventh minister in six years, so I hope he'll serve right through because that is becoming a concern," said Gilles Carrez, a leading light on the National Assembly's Budget Committee.

Breton is the ninth finance minister to serve under President Jacques Chirac, raising doubts about the credibility of economic management in France.

His priority will be to create the conditions in which the 'Yes' vote in a nationwide referendum on the EU constitution can flourish: jobs, robust growth and higher living standards.

Chirac has staked much political capital on a victory for the 'Yes' camp, but with the vote expected around mid-year, the sometime sci-fi writer Breton has little time to script a rise in employment and living standards.

In an effort to avoid another Gaymard fiasco, the father-of-three Breton will continue to live in his private home in the 14th arrondissement in Paris. He will also forgo any golden handshake from France Telecom and take a pay cut of about 90 per cent.

- REUTERS