- Economy:
Sarkozy, viewed as capable of pushing through the necessary reforms to revitalise the French economy, could well be the conservative-led European Commission's favourite candidate against Ségolène Royal, who supports raising the minimum monthly wage and has defended France's 35-hour workweek. However, Sarkozy's recent protectionist statements, in which he vowed to defend French companies against foreign takeovers and blamed the strength of the euro for France's economic woes, have caused dismay in the Commission and the European Central Bank.
- Constitution:
Sarkozy is widely regarded in Brussels as the candidate with the most chance of coming to a quick agreement with current EU President, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, on a 'mini-treaty' to replace the stalled EU Constitution, rejected by French voters in 2005. Indeed Royal, who has called for the negotiation of a new treaty that would be subject to a fresh referendum, could dash the German Chancellor's plans to come up with a substantive road map for solving the EU's Constitutional crisis during her six months at the EU's helm.
- Turkey:
On this issue, it is Royal – more open to immigration and to Europe's enlargement towards Turkey – that appears closer to the Commission's official line. Sarkozy, on the other hand, objects to further EU enlargement, saying that it will dilute Europe's identity and turn the EU into an unworkable institution. He instead supports an EU-led "Mediterranean Union" that would include Turkey and other Muslim countries.
