The Economist: France - Mr Sarkozy secures a whopping 140% pay rise from parliament - French also say Yes on New EU Treaty

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France - Mr Sarkozy secures a whopping 140% pay rise from parliament - French also say Yes on New EU Treaty

Edouard Balladur, a former prime minister heading a special commission, has handed President Nicolas Sarkozy some 77 proposals for constitutional reform. A few would increase presidential powers. One clause would enshrine the president's right to “define the nation's policy” (traditionally the prime minister's job, as the president looks after foreign policy and defence). Another would let him appear before parliament (now forbidden on the ground of separation of powers).

This week, a poll for Le Parisien suggested that, if the French were to vote on the new European treaty, fully 68% would say yes.