French President Nicolas Sarkozy named Francois Fillon as Prime Minister on Thursday, banking on the moderate conservative’s negotiating skills to push through sweeping reforms in the face of union resistance.
On his first full day in office, Mr Sarkozy held a breakfast meeting with Mr Fillon before confirming the appointment of the 53-year-old who masterminded Mr Sarkozy’s presidential campaign.
Mr Fillon worked with powerful trade unions when he was social affairs minister to push through sensitive pension reforms in 2003, making him a natural choice to spearhead Mr Sarkozy’s changes to labour laws and the pensions system.
“In a world of six billion human beings, the 60 million French people must remain united. That is the spirit of openness that the president wants,” Mr  Fillon said at a handover ceremony with outgoing Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin.
“I will listen to everyone because a France in motion needs everyone.”
Mr Fillon’s cool temperament contrasts with Mr Sarkozy’s high-octane personality. Commentators have said that in the “calm break” with the past that Mr Sarkozy has called for, the right-winger is the break while Mr Fillon is the calm.
The prime minister heads the government and is in charge of carrying out policy while the president has traditionally had a more hands-off role, overseeing government without necessarily being involved in daily details.
Mr Sarkozy, however, has said he wants to play a more active role during his five-year term.
“The people have entrusted me with a mandate. I will fulfil it. I will fulfil it scrupulously,” Mr Sarkozy said in his inaugural speech after taking over from Jacques Chirac on Wednesday. To do that, he needs to secure a majority in June's parliamentary election or face “cohabiting” with a left-wing government.