President Sarkozy's habit of picking fights landed him at war yesterday with three mighty institutions: the European Commission, the French armed forces and state television. Mr Sarkozy's slanging match with Peter Mandelson soured his second day of France's EU presidency after the British commissioner accused him of undermining Europe in world trade negotiations. The squabble, in which Mr Sarkozy cast Mr Mandelson as a bogeyman, was overshadowed at home by unrest among army generals and mutiny by the boss of France Télévisions. The military, which is not fond of the reformist President, felt humiliated when Bruno Cuche, the army chief, resigned after a presidential tongue-lashing. After a dressing-down by the President on one of his own channels, Patrick de Carolis, chief of France Télévisions, called Mr Sarkozy's ideas stupid and ignorant. He is not expected to survive long.
President Sarkozy's habit of picking fights landed him at war yesterday with three mighty institutions: the European Commission, the French armed forces and state television.
Mr Sarkozy's slanging match with Peter Mandelson soured his second day of France's EU presidency after the British commissioner accused him of undermining Europe in world trade negotiations.
The squabble, in which Mr Sarkozy cast Mr Mandelson as a bogeyman, was overshadowed at home by unrest among army generals and mutiny by the boss of France Télévisions.
The military, which is not fond of the reformist President, felt humiliated when Bruno Cuche, the army chief, resigned after a presidential tongue-lashing. After a dressing-down by the President on one of his own channels, Patrick de Carolis, chief of France Télévisions, called Mr Sarkozy's ideas stupid and ignorant. He is not expected to survive long.
