Ségolène Royal received as many brickbats as backslaps on Monday. Business groups, economists and political opponents complained about the likely cost of the French socialist candidate’s 100-point manifesto, while commentators cheered the renewed momentum it gave her presidential bid.

Eric Besson, Socialist economic spokesman, said her plans to increase the minimum wage, boost pensions, raise spending on education, health and justice, while upping state hand-outs for research, first-time house buyers and the young would cost up to €35bn.