French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin faces nation-wide protests on Tuesday that are set to highlight growing opposition to a youth job plan and trade unions' concerns over a state-backed merger of two energy firms.
Disruptions are expected on air and rail transport and to power production following calls for strikes and rallies by unions opposed to a plan which they say will increase job insecurity for youngsters and fail to reduce unemployment.
The big CGT union has also urged power workers to down tools in protest at the planned merger between state-owned Gaz de France (GDF) and private group Suez, saying it will mean job losses and force the government to cede control of GDF.
A new opinion poll published on Monday underlined Villepin's woes, showing a seven-point fall in his approval rating in the past month to its lowest level since he was named prime minister in May 2005.
"The Villepin government is a Titanic which is taking on water everywhere," Jack Lang, a leader of the opposition Socialist Party, told Le Journal du Dimanche newspaper. Villepin has made clear he and his conservative government will not back down over a new job contract known as CPE which will allow firms to hire people aged under 26 for a two-year trial period before offering them a permanent job.
Comments
Comments are closed.