For months, ministers and officials in Paris have been promising to conduct France’s six-month presidency of the European Union with modesty and determination. Somebody clearly forgot to tell President Nicolas Sarkozy about the first bit.

The beginning of his turn in the hot seat has been a disappointment. It is hard to fault France for its preparations. But Mr Sarkozy in this early phase has so far not lived up to the standards of leadership that the rest of the EU expects.