It was time to ditch the format by which all issues are negotiated simultaneously by all countries under the 192-nation UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), where unanimous approval is essential, Sarkozy said.

The European Commission has over recent years opened several investigations following allegations that Ryanair was getting preferential treatment.

But she's still down in popularity nationally, said Andre Bonnin, a local councillor, sipping wine after Royal's address.