Sarkozy son eyes top business job

Jean Sarkozy, a local councillor, is married to a wealthy heiress

The 23-year-old politician son of French President Nicolas Sarkozy is in line for a top job running one of Europe's biggest business districts.

Jean Sarkozy is preparing to become head of Epad, the development agency for La Defense, just west of Paris.

His nomination was announced by Epad's outgoing boss, Patrick Devedjian. Some left-wing politicians condemned it as "clan politics".

Jean Sarkozy is currently a councillor in the wealthy Paris suburb of Neuilly.

He is expected to take up the new post in December.

Several major corporations and banks have their headquarters at La Defense, a modern development noted for its skyscrapers.

Mr Devedjian, 65, has reached the age ceiling for the job. Commenting on his likely successor, he quoted the 17th-Century French playwright Corneille, saying "in souls nobly born valour does not depend upon age".

Epad board member Patrick Jarry, who is also the communist mayor of nearby Nanterre, said "it's really a case of ensuring the continuity of the [Sarkozy] clan".

A socialist deputy, Michele Delaunay, condemned "a policy of clans, family and personal interests".