FRANCE: France braces for huge nation-wide strike that will test public sentiment over president Nicolas Sarkozy's economic policies

Record ID: 339806

  • Title: FRANCE: France braces for huge nation-wide strike that will test public sentiment over president Nicolas Sarkozy's economic policies
  • Date: 29th January 2009
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (JANUARY 28, 2009) (REUTERS) STEPHANE ROZES, HEAD OF POLLING INSTITUTE CSA, SITTING AT HIS DESK VARIOUS OF NEWSPAPER WITH RECENT OPINION POLL (SOUNDBITE) (French) STEPHANE ROZES, HEAD OF POLLING INSTITUTE CSA, SAYING: "The first reason is the social anxiety, the idea that the measures taken by the government are not enough, there isn't enough done compared to
  • Embargoed: 13th February 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAD55FZOS3228MBMXOETBOUPKTT
  • Story Text: France prepares to suffer crippling strikes as French private and public sector workers go on strike and demonstrate across the country. Observers say this will be the first real test for French President Nicolas Sarkozy since his election in 2007.
    French President Nicolas Sarkozy faces a political strength test on Thursday (January 28) as France's unions join forces calling a major multi-sector strike and the Socialist party calls a no confidence motion against the government's economic policies looking to pile pressure on Sarkozy ahead of the national strike.
    The strikes could shine a spotlight on the government's record at a time of economic slowdown.
    Unions will pick up the baton on Thursday with nationwide protests likely to bring hundreds of thousands of strikers onto the streets to demand more action to protect jobs and wages.

    "What people are saying today is that when there is a problem with banks, we're not saying that we shouldn't do anything about it, but, as if by miracle, the state eventually finds the means to help the banking sector and the industry. When we ask for something, we keep being told that there is no money. That's a message that we don't accept so people are getting worried, it's obvious, and this concern is turning into anger and people want to be heard. So the bigger the demonstrations, the more the government will have to take account of it all," said Jean Claude Mailly, General Secretary of Force Ouvriere Workers Union.
    Sarkozy last year unveiled a 26-billion-euro (34 billion U.S. dollars) stimulus plan that focused heavily on encouraging investment. Unions and Socialists say not enough is being done to help the consumer and warn of a backlash if more aid is not provided.

    "The first reason is the social anxiety, the idea that the measures taken by the government are not enough, there isn't enough done compared to what is done for the banking and financial sectors. So that's why there is a huge social anxiety," Stephane Rozes, Head of Polling Institute CSA.

    "People are also asking for coherence. The President of the Republic has never explained what coherence there is between the small reforms he was undertaking and which was calling for more individual responsibility, better productivity and a more performing state, and a stimulus plan which people are expecting and are wishing for. That would be the more protecting state where the state helps employment and protects individuals. As the states majority has never used those two dimensions, people are asking for the President of the Republic to give some clarification," added Rozes.
    Ministers are clearly concerned about the possibility of social unrest in a country where street protests have regularly built unstoppable momentum, forcing governments into retreat.
    Earlier this month, unions staged a wildcat strike at a major Paris commuter station, closing it for most of the day and sending social tensions spiralling higher.
    Some people in Paris concerned about the limits on purchasing power said they hoped the strike would bring attention to those issues.

    "I think everyone is fed up, for many reasons, and people feel the need to make themselves hear. Strikes remain the best way in France today for this," said Magalie Bernadou.

    "I understand people who want to go on strike of course. We are going through a deep crisis and people don't have concrete answers. But I'm not sure this will be a solution," said Jean-Claude, a Parisian.

    "I am against, ok? I think that it's the more privileged who go on strike such as the SNCF who are privileged. People have to work, times are very hard, it's true, but everyone has to make an effort. I'm really against the strikes," said Catherine, a Parisian.
    Although France does not face the sort of banking woes that have hobbled countries such as Britain and Ireland, its unemployment rate rose steadily in the second half of 2008, hitting 2.07 million in November, up 8.5 percent on the year.
    Prime Minister Francois Fillon dismissed Socialist calls to try to inflate consumer spending and accused the left of trying to paper over its own divisions by attacking the government.
    Sarkozy riled the left last July when he said "these days, when there is a strike, nobody notices", but soon afterwards the economy hit turbulence tied to the financial meltdown and labour relations deteriorated.
    His ministers are being less provocative ahead of Thursday's strike, which has the backing of France's eight main unions and the support of 69 percent of voters, according to opinion polls.
    Public transport strikes have been called in 77 French cities on Thursday, including Paris, with stoppages also expected to hit air travel, banks, hospitals, schools, power companies and the legal system.
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