French PM says no discontent in cabinet

PARIS, Sep 9 (Reuters) French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said today his government was working well, rejecting rumours of discontent in a cabinet where several ministers have been rebuked in past days.

President Nicolas Sarkozy won much praise after his election in May, when he appointed a ''cabinet of openness'' that includes members of the left-wing opposition, human rights activists and young, female politicians from ethnic minorities.

But this week Fillon had to rebuke the government's youngest member Rama Yade, secretary of state for human rights, for making an unannounced visit to an immigrant squat.

Days earlier he had reprimanded Economy Minister Christine Lagarde for speaking of an ''austerity plan'' for the public service -- a term likely to anger trade unions.

Fillon rejected media rumours that there were tensions in the cabinet and that Sarkozy was even planning a reshuffle.

''Today, there is no reason to reshuffle a government that works well and is composed of very different people, and where the state of mind is a lot freer than we've seen in the past,'' Fillon told Canal+ television.

Sarkozy has enjoyed high popularity ratings since he was elected in May, and commentators have praised the energy with which his government pushed through a series of fiscal and law-and-order reforms before the summer holidays.

But with economic growth weaker than expected in the second quarter, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development cutting its growth forecast for France and several ministers causing controversy, some commentators said Sarkozy's honeymoon might be nearing an end.

''FREEDOM OF THINKING'' ''Sarkozy facing his first difficulties,'' the Journal du Dimanche newspaper said in a headline, adding that some presidential advisers had suggested Sarkozy was ready to lay off some ministers and reshuffle the cabinet in January.

''He isn't pleased with his ministers, he's only pleased with himself,'' it quoted one source close to Sarkozy as saying.

French media have portrayed Sarkozy as a hyperactive president who seeks to act in all policy areas, leaves little room of manoeuvre for his ministers and who recently angered Fillon by calling him a mere ''associate''.

Fillon today reiterated his support for the president's actions and strategy, but conceded he did not like the word ''associate''.

''I thought the word was not really suitable but ... language is not always perfectly precise,'' Fillon said.

''I am totally at the service of the policies that Sarkozy is leading,'' he said, but added: ''I am a politician with my own convictions and freedom of thinking.'' Fillon repeated his criticism of Yade for her visit to immigrant squatters near Paris.

''She's made a gaffe which has to do with her lack of experience.

That's also the risk when you take inexperienced young people into the government,'' he said.

''But at the same time, they bring so much to it that I don't regret for a moment the choice of Rama Yade.'' REUTERS PDT RAI2040