As Election Approaches, Sarkozy Faces Daunting To-Do List for French Economy.

PARIS -- President Nicolas Sarkozy faces an uncomfortable political predicament. He must satisfy an anxious market, preserve France's AAA credit rating, defend French banks, cut the budget to fixed targets in a time of slowing growth and make it all palatable enough to win an election only nine months away. It will not be an easy trick to pull off. Mr. Sarkozy is already struggling with low popularity ratings in opinion polls and a general disaffection among the French with his personality and style. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]