France,  Politics

France CPE Riot Watch:Fate of CPE Up to Constitutional Council

March 30, 2006 /

A woman dressed as Marianne, symbol of the French Republic, holds a French flag during a protest against the first job contract law, known as CPE, Tuesday, March 28, 2006 in Bordeaux, southwestern France. Tens of thousands of protesters poured onto France’s streets and striking workers hobbled transport services Tuesday, increasing pressure on embattled Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin to withdraw a contested new jobs contract for youths.

ASSociated Press: Fate of French Labor Law Up to Council

The fate of a contested French labor law that has inspired massive protests, gravely wounding its champion Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, hung Thursday on a council of experts.

The Constitutional Council, whose 10 members include former statesmen and women, was weighing a demand from the opposition Socialists that the law, which would make it easier for companies to fire young workers, be thrown out as unconstitutional.

Striking down the law could be a face-saver for all sides, allowing protesters to claim victory and defusing the crisis for Villepin, who would likely emerge bloodied but ready to fight another day.

This will be an easy capitulation for Prime Minister Villepin. But, elimination of the CPE, while popular in the polls, will not solve the youth unemployment problem which is as high as 50 per cent in French immigrant communities.

French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin addresses deputies at the National Assembly during a session of questions to the government, Tuesday, March 28, 2006 in Paris. Tens of thousands of protesters poured onto France’s streets and striking workers hobbled transport services Tuesday, increasing pressure on embattled Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin to withdraw a contested new jobs contract for youths.

A poll by the Ipsos agency for LCI television said 62 percent of the French aligned themselves with the movement against Villepin’s law, and that 47 percent want it repealed entirely. Another 45 percent want it to be modified. The poll Wednesday of 804 people aged 18 and over gave no margin of error.

But, the French socialists want power and elections loom. Will these issues really subside if the Constitutional Council overrules Villepin on the CPE?

Doubtful…….

French CGT union leader Bernard Thibault, centre, and France’s UNEF student union President Bruno Julliard march during a protest against the first job contract, knwon as CPE, Tuesday, March 28, 2006 in Paris.

Students and labor unions say the contract will erode France’s time-honored workplace protections. Villepin says it is needed to cut France’s 22 percent youth unemployment rate, which soars up to 50 percent in low-income neighborhoods that were the focus of rioting last year.

Unions and student groups are calling for a new round of strikes and protests next Tuesday to step up pressure on the government. The largest civil servants union on Thursday joined the strike call.

And the French are complaining about foreign press coverage of their CPE protests/riots.

Unbelievable

Government ministers fear the crisis is hurting France’s image abroad. Trade minister Christine Lagarde, who embarks on an eight-day visit to the United States next week, complained of “excessive” foreign media coverage of the demonstrations, which have repeatedly ended in violent clashes between youths and riot police.

Protests continued Thursday. Police used tear gas to dislodge some 300-400 students who blocked tracks and traffic at a railway station in Marseille, France’s second-biggest city.

More trouble ahead for France.

Stay tuned…….

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France CPE Riot Watch: A Million People March to Protest CPE First Job Contract

France CPE Riot Watch: French Police Subdue Riots

France CPE Riot Watch: First Job Contract Protests Grip French Cities

France Riot Watch: Students Riot in Paris over New Youth Employment Contract

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