Sarkozy names moderate Fillon as PM

New French President Nicolas Sarkozy named Francois Fillon as prime minister yesterday, 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, Sarkozy held a breakfast meeting with Fillon before confirming the appointment of the 53-year-old who masterminded Sarkozy's presidential campaign.

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 Sarkozy's changes to labor laws and the pensions system.