Mais Oui! French Prez Is Friend to Business

France could see a longer work week and new limits on workers' right to strike if President Nicholas Sarkozy gets his way. He's already reduced wealth taxes on certain investments and practically eliminated the inheritance tax, the Los Angeles Times reports. But supporters insist he will not erode social benefits or copy the freewheeling American style of capitalism.

Entrepreneurs are thrilled at the President's proposed reforms, noting that it's extremely expensive to run a small- to medium-sized company in France. But the next part of Sarkozy's grand plan is bound to encounter more resistance: He wants a bill that would guarantee minimum transportation service during labor strikes, plus 2-days notice of intention to strike. (More Nicolas Sarkozy stories.)