The most recent was Mr Sarkozy's appointment of Henri Proglio, an industrialist and friend, to run EDF, a state-controlled energy group.

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Disney (DIS) will own 43% of the property and the remaining 57% is owned by the state-controlled Shanghai Shendi Group.

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Eni now not only faces the prospect of ceding part of its 18.5% stake in the project to the Kazakh government, through the state-controlled Kazmunaigaz, there's the chance of a breakdown in relations with its fellow group members and the loss of its coveted position as operational leader.

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