Paris - French President Nicolas Sarkozy Tuesday defended his 23-year-old son, Jean, from a growing controversy over his taking an influential post.

"Everything that exposes a person to attacks, without foundation, and excessively, is never good," Sarkozy told journalists in Paris.

Opposition politicians and media commentators have roundly criticized Jean Sarkozy for presenting his candidacy to become chairman of the board of directors of EPAD, the public body that manages La Defense.

Situated in the western suburbs of Paris, La Defense is Europe's largest purpose-built business district. Some 2,500 companies have their headquarters there, including such major corporations as oil giant Total and Societe Generale.

The critics claim that Jean Sarkozy is too young and inexperienced to chair a body that decides on millions of euros' worth of building permits every year.

Jean Sarkozy is currently regional councillor in the Paris suburb of Neuilly- South, one of the richest communities in the country. (dpa)