French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin has suffered a setback after the country's highest court ruled that a bill to give the island of Corsica limited self-government was unconstitutional.

The Constitutional Council threw out legislation to give the troubled island greater political power and a limited right to pass its own laws.

Lionel Jospin has suffered a series of setbacks

But a provision that will make the Corsican language part of the primary school curriculum was approved.

The nine-member council ruled that the centrepiece of the law - to gave the island's assembly limited legal powers - was a breach of the principle of national unity.

It is the third time in a month that the council has struck down parts of the Socialist prime minister's legislative programme.

The setback comes just three months before French presidential elections in which Mr Jospin is expected to run.

Separatist violence

Opposition conservatives had asked the council to rule on the bill after Mr Jospin's coalition used its majority to push it through parliament late last year.

Mr Jospin began moves to grant the Mediterranean island greater autonomy in 1999 to end decades of separatist violence.

Opponents have warned that it could lead to other regions demanding greater devolved powers.

On Saturday, the Constitutional Council delivered another setback for Mr Jospin when it blocked a bill to impose limits on when companies could lay off workers.

It said the bill limited entrepreneurial freedom.

In December it stopped the government from using the social security budget to meet the costs of the reduced 35-hour week.

The elections - in two rounds on 21 April and 5 May - are expected to pit Mr Jospin against the right-wing incumbent Jacques Chirac.

Elections to the National Assembly will come five weeks later.