France,  Politics

France CPE Riot Watch: Lefties Reject Talks and Vow More CPE Protests

April 1, 2006 /

Nicolas Sarkozy (L), France’s Interior Minister and head of the conservative UMP party, walks away from journalists in the courtyard of the Hotel Matignon offices of the Prime Minister in Paris April 1, 2006. Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin called his main rival Sarkozy and the pro-Chirac speakers of both houses of parliament to meet the day after a televised speech by French President Jacques Chirac in which he both backed a disputed youth job law (CPE) and called for rapid amendments to it.

Reuters: French left-wing vows more protests, rejects talks 

French left-wing parties rejected President Jacques Chirac’s call for dialogue on Saturday, reaffirming their plans to march next week against a youth job law they insist the government should withdraw.

Opposition groups, reacting to Chirac’s Friday speech saying he would sign the law but modify it, said they would join unions and students to stage more big protests that have gripped France and put Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin under pressure.

“We have confirmed our unanimous agreement to demand the definitive withdrawal of the CPE (law) and the opening of real negotiations with all unions, students and high school pupils before any new law goes before parliament,” Patrick Farbiaz, a leader of the ecologist Greens party, said after a meeting.

Well, of course, the LEFT SOCIALIST NUTTERS will NOT accept a compromise. They smell blood in the water and want control of the government in this year’s elections.

Former Socialist finance minister Dominique Strauss-Kahn said he had missed the point of the students’ protests.

“They don’t want just a trial period shortened from two to one year. They want their work contract to be the same as other workers’,” he said after the left-wing meeting.

Many older French workers have long-term contracts with strong job protection, which employers say puts them off adding young workers to their staff. Youth unemployment stands at 22 percent in France, far above the 9.6 percent national average.

A free lunch. Flap foresees economic ruin for the French economy and business climate. Oh well, more business for the United States.

Stay tuned…..

Previous:

France CPE Riot Watch: Jacques Chirac Capitulates on SOME of Job Law

France CPE Riot Watch: Constitutional Council Upholds CPE Jobs Law

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

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

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