It must seem that there is always some kind of demonstration going in France. But that is the way of the French -- they are intensely political and they voice their opinions - and as much as it may seem disruptive and unnecessary to foreigners in France, I find it hugely refreshing to be living amongst people who are aware and informed, who are interested in what their government does, debate the issues at every opportunity, discuss and qustion, hold their leaders accountable for every decision and every action, and finally are prepared to go out on a limb -- or as is the French way -- out into the streets! to protest against anything that does not please them. Unfortunately, the protests have now turned violent across France -- and the leaders amongst the ppponents of the new French labour law are calling for at least a million people to demonstrate against the controversial legislation today.
Some 300 people were arrested on Thursday after mass rallies ended in violence in Paris and other cities.
French President Jacques Chirac called for immediate talks between ministers and trade union leaders and said the law was important for fighting joblessness and called for further protests to be peaceful. But -- trade unionists and students oppose the new youth employment law. The law, known as the CPE, (First Employment Contract) allows new workers under the age of 26 to be dismissed within a two-year trial period.
These street protests have become the biggest headache French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin has had to face. But then -- the people of France in general seem to be against no matter what the current government proposes or does, and although the new law is probably an excellent one, (and was proposed by the government to help youths in the French suburbs who took to the streets last year, many of whom were unhappy with the lack of employment opportunities), it was never going to be accepted readily, no matter how well or different it had been handled. The people have had enough of this government.
Echoes of 1968
The worst violence on Thursday was in Paris, where riot police fired rubber bullets and tear gas. Unrest was also reported in some of the other 80 cities holding rallies. The Paris march, which police said was attended by 30,000 but which organisers put at 120,000-strong, was mainly peaceful.
However, a group of about 300 masked protesters threw missiles at police, who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets and clashes went on into the evening and resulted in more than 300 arrests. The measure has become a rallying point for the left and the far left, uniting the May 1968 generation with its children, who want the same job security their parents enjoyed.
The violence is blamed on "provocative students" and the majority of the students bemoan the fact that the demonstrations have not stayed peaceful. They are also serious about their studies and wish to return to their lectures, but this is an important issue to them, and they will not accept it.
Speaking to one of the protesting students, it is clear that they are not simply troublemakers who are looking to get time off their studies. "I agree we must be flexible, but not like this. France can never hope to compete with China and India in terms of cheapness of labour, so has to work hard to find other competitive advantages, such as more funding for high-tech industries in order to create new jobs." This student will be out on the streets again today, hoping that if enough people join the demonstrations, they could prove a turning point in forcing the government to retract its new deal for the young.
Another student said he was going to be in the streets today with his mother and his father -- the first time the family has demonstrated together since 1995, when another French government was forced to back down on its reform proposals.
Why demonstrate as a family? "Because today, with this new law, I will be in competition with my parents for jobs. We have a saying now in France: 'Hey, dad, I got a new job - it's yours.' And I really don't want that situation in France."
And for many there was once again a sense of a nation at war with itself over how best to face the future.
The economy is the main battleground: pitching those who want change, against many of the young who feel betrayed, and long for the old certainties of jobs for life and guaranteed pensions - and a generous welfare system.
In other words, all the benefits enjoyed by the generation which took to the barricades themselves in France in May 1968, yet who can no longer promise the same for their children and grandchildren.
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