With a month until local elections, Sarkozy has lessened his attempts to overhaul the French economy with broad government change, the International Herald Tribune reported Thursday.

Wednesday, after hundreds of cabs congested streets in France and stranded people at airports, the government reportedly stopped its aim to deregulate the country's intensely protected taxi business.

A day after saying it was dead, the president also reversed a decision to get rid of the 35-hour workweek, the newspaper said.

It is reported that the president's flashy courtship of his recently married wife, former singer and model Carla Bruni, has contributed to his falling approval rating.