President Sarkozy's habit of picking fights landed him at war yesterday with three mighty institutions: the European Commission, the French armed forces and state television.

Mr Sarkozy's slanging match with Peter Mandelson soured his second day of France's EU presidency after the British commissioner accused him of undermining Europe in world trade negotiations.

The squabble, in which Mr Sarkozy cast Mr Mandelson as a bogeyman, was overshadowed at home by unrest among army generals and mutiny by the boss of France Télévisions.

The military, which is not fond of the reformist President, felt humiliated when Bruno Cuche, the army chief, resigned after a presidential tongue-lashing. After a dressing-down by the President on one of his own channels, Patrick de Carolis, chief of France Télévisions, called Mr Sarkozy's ideas stupid and ignorant. He is not expected to survive long.

The President's aggressiveness prompted opposition gibes about a Bonaparte complex and questions about his tactics. “After 'President Bling-Bling' we now have 'President Biff-Baff'. He is hitting out at everyone,” said a commentator on LCI, a television news channel. “This is a president who generates hostility.”

Diplomats are worried by Mr Sarkozy's abrasive handling of the EU as he takes the rotating presidency. He has upset the Irish by saying that he would make it his business to ensure that they vote again on the EU Lisbon treaty, which they rejected last month. President Kaczynski of Poland was annoyed by Mr Sarkozy's off-hand reaction on Monday to his refusal to sign the treaty into force.

Mr Mandelson's outspoken response to attacks by Mr Sarkozy appalled French officials who were trying to cool tempers after the President's charge that the commissioner was selling out Europe. Mr Mandelson also refused to attend a dinner at the Elysée Palace on Monday night for the whole Commission.

On the BBC Newsnight programme, Mr Mandelson said: “I am being undermined and Europe's negotiating position in the world trade talks is being weakened.” Mr Sarkozy played down the spat yesterday, telling his Cabinet that he did not want his differences with the commissioner to be “over-interpreted”. He then added a back-hand swipe at Mr Mandelson, saying that he had nothing personal against him. “He is someone I have known for a long time and must certainly be delighted with [the] publicity.”

Mr Sarkozy is on solid ground at home attacking Mr Mandelson. As a Briton in charge of opening the EU to competition with the outside world, the commissioner embodies everything that France dislikes about the EU. Mr Sarkozy has been hammering a single message at home. He wants the EU to erect new barriers to protect its farmers, business world and citizens from the forces of globalisation.

President Sarkozy also came under fire for his harsh treatment of the military after an accidental shooting at a base at Carcassonne, in the South, in which 17 people were wounded. Visiting the scene on Monday he pointed his finger at General Cuche and other top officers, saying: “You are a bunch of amateurs.” The army chief resigned over the blunder that led a sergeant to fire live rounds at a crowd but colleagues made it known that he was incensed by the President's language.

Sarko's spats

To a bystander who refused to shake his hand: “Get lost, dumb arse”

To a fisherman during protests: “Come down and say that. Don’t think that by insulting me you will solve fishermen’s problems”

To a reporter who asked whether Carla Bruni had stolen his limelight: “The fact that you should have even put this question to me shows that you do have a very insensitive experience of marriage”

On Africa: “The tragedy of Africa is that the African countries have never really entered into history... they have never really launched themselves into the future”

On France: “France is like the Anglo-Saxon countries when it comes to inequality and poverty — but without their social mobility and full employment”

On youths living in estates: “Cleaning out the rabble with a power hose”

On himself: “Why so much hatred [of me]? Perhaps it’s because I say out loud what everyone quietly thinks”

Source: Times archives

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