French garbage collectors waded through mounds of reeking trash as they headed back to work yesterday and some oil workers deserted their picket lines — signs of fading momentum in the battle against raising the retirement age.

A bid by the son of French president Nicolas Sarkozy for a plum job overseeing the country’s premier business district has sparked a huge row and accusations of nepotism.

French Finance Minister Francis Mer said the future privatisation of Electricite de France will be advantageous for the utility company, as it will keep it from running in to problems with the EU's anti-competition legislation.