Emmanuel Macron made it clear during the electoral campaign that he intends to pass through accelerated reforms this summer "par ordonnances" (by decrees), a plan that has drawn howls of disapproval from certain unions.

What is a decree?

Mr Macron wants to drive through reforms, notably one to "simplify" labour laws. But to make the process "faster and more efficient", he wants to bypass the lengthy parliamentary process and rush through the reforms by decree.

The procedure should not be confused with the highly controversial Article 49.3, employed by ex-prime minister Manuel Valls to pass hotly-contested labour reforms last year; this is an even quicker and more powerful way to force laws through and has been nicknamed "the nuclear option".

In what areas does he intend to reform by decree?

Simplifying labour laws, "decentralising negotiation" on, say, working hours, which would take place at company rather than national level; introducing a "right to make a mistake" with the French administration, meaning a company or individual who makes a mistake in good faith will not be automatically sanctioned, as is often the case; placing a ceiling on the amount of dismissal compensation labour tribunals can hand out, and ending the habit of "gold-plating" European directives when transposed into French law.