Mr Sarkozy won much praise when he appointed a 'cabinet of openness' after his May election, including members of the Socialist opposition and several women from ethnic minorities.

But Mr Sarkozy has also proved to be a hyperactive, hands-on president, often leaving his ministers to stand in the background on domestic, foreign policy and economic initiatives, and sparking reports of discontent within the government.

Media reports have said a cabinet reshuffle could be underway in the coming months.

'Why would politics be the only domain that isn't subject to an evaluation,' government spokesman Laurent Wauquiez said, confirming a report by the daily Le Monde that ministers would be evaluated with the help of private consultants.

'Ministers must be accountable like anyone else,' he said, but rejected rumours of a reshuffle.

The daily said ministers would be measured against a catalogue of indicators, such as the number of illegal immigrants expelled for Immigration Minister Brice Hortefeux, and the number of universities having accepted a new form of governance for Education Minister Valerie Pecresse.

'(The indicators) will allow to judge progress made in every area of government activity,' Mr Wauquiez told a news conference.

'We will be able to evaluate what moves and what doesn't.' Referring to how possible grades would be attributed to cabinet members, Mr Wauquiez said: 'The time of grades hasn't come yet.' -- REUTERS