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Few could argue that French President Nicolas Sarkozy has not been an exceedingly active European Union president since taking the reins in July.  Yet his bold style and suggestions have at times irritated his EU counterparts.

Sarkozy's latest groundbreaking proposal, the creation of a new "economic government" for the Eurozone, possibly with him at the helm, is ruffling feathers.

Some German leaders, who have butt heads with Sarkozy before, claim such a body would be a threat to the independence of the European Central Bank. And the Czeck Republic, which assumes the EU presidency in January, says creating such an organisation would divide the EU rather than unify it.

They also accuse France of trying to marginalise the upcoming Czeck presidency. Still Sarkozy says a Eurozone government is necessary to deal with the global economic crisis. 

Andrea Sanke's guests are:

Wolfram Voegel, head of the Franco-German Institute in Paris.

François de Labarre, a reporter for Paris Match magazine.

Douglas Yates, professor of political science at the American University of Paris.

Jacques Myard, a member of French parliament for Sarkozy's UMP party and a member of the International Affairs Commission.