Revolution in France? France faces another week of chaos - by John Litchfield
France faces the prospect of widespread paralysis tomorrow if transport and student strikes collide with a one-day stoppage by teachers, postmen and other public-sector workers. The President, Nicolas Sarkozy, is said to be considering making a speech today which will present the social unrest as an "ideological" contest between the government and union militants, and between the "new" France and the "old". Anti-strike demonstrators marched through Paris yesterday afternoon to make much the same point, accusing transport workers of causing widespread misery in a "selfish" campaign to protect early retirement privileges. Some of the more militant striking workers, and students, are calling openly for a political struggle against the whole of M. Sarkozy's economic reform program. Many others say they are simply digging in their heels against cuts in pensions for which they have worked all their lives.
However, in a possible sign of a new willingness to compromise, six of the unions said that they would take part in talks with railway companies and the government on Wednesday, which implied the transport strikes might be suspended after tomorrow.The more militant union federations are hoping for a "fusion" of all these disputes to generate a lengthy challenge M. Sarkozy on the streets. But this now looks unlikely. Only one in three rail workers, and one in four Metro workers, is still believed to be on strike. The parallel strike in the gas and electricity industry has collapsed.
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