Crucial talks on French law

2006-04-10 07:53

Paris - French President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin are set to decide on Monday the fate of a youth job law that has sparked million-strong protests.

Chirac will meet Villepin, father of the contested First Employment Contract (CPE), at 08:30, in a bid to find a face-saving exit to a two-month crisis that has shaken the French government.

Unions and student groups, which will meet later on Monday to decide what further action to take, are threatening more protests unless the government agrees by April 17 to bury the so-called First Employment Contract (CPE).

Student leader Bruno Julliard has told AFP that he will only be satisfied by a "clear, definitive death sentence" for the law which was initiated by Villepin in a bid to tackle chronic youth unemployment of 22%.

After his talks with Villepin, Chirac will see the team responsible for drafting changes to the CPE, including Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy and senior members of Sarkozy's Union for a Popular Movement (UMP).

Redrafting the law

The powerful interior minister is Villepin's rival for the presidency next year and has taken a lead role in trying to defuse the crisis by redrafting the law.

A recent poll showed 45% of the public think Villepin should step down but the prime minister has remained steadfast, vowing last week to continue his "mission" to fight unemployment.

Villepin will make a speech early on Monday, his office said. He will also appear on the main evening television news programme.

Earlier Chirac's office had said the president and the prime minister - both seriously damaged by the conflict - would jointly announce a "decision" after their meeting.

Commentators said the law --which makes it easier to hire and fire workers under the age of 26 - was almost certain to be dropped.

Unions and students - who accuse the government of trampling on hard-won labour rights and discriminating against young people - are in a position of strength after millions took part in mass protests against the measure.

Chirac promulgated the law late last month but, in response to the street unrest, said it would not be implemented. The debate now turns largely on whether it will be abrogated, replaced or suspended.

An overwhelming 85% of the French population see Villepin and Chirac as weakened by the crisis, one of the worst episodes in Chirac's 11-year presidency, according to a poll published on Sunday in Le Parisien.

More than half also believe it has boosted the position of Sarkozy.

Several French newspapers reported at the weekend that agreement on a draft new law was being held up by a tug-of-war between Villepin and his interior minister.

According to the newspaper Le Monde, Villepin has refused any wording that suggests the CPE is dead.

- AFP