euro|topics - Should Sarkozy fear the strikes ?

Main focus of Thursday, November 15, 2007

Should Sarkozy fear the strikes ?

French public transport workers began a massive strike on November 14th. They are protesting against the government's wish to reform their special early retirement schemes. The European press considers this crisis is an opportunity to introduce a new form of social dialogue in France.

Tribune de Genève - Switzerland

"France is going through a 'cultural revolution' in matters of social relations", considers Jean-Noël Cuénod. "Along with Nicolas Sarkozy, the boss-state is first and foremost targeting public opinion. In order to carry out deep reform, public opinion needs to be primed by the media. Meanwhile discussions with unions are indeed taking place, but in a continuous manner. The thing is not to break the flow, that way social relations distinguish themselves from the traditional ritual of mutual refusals. Bernard Thibault [secretary-general of the CGT union] has understood this. Like Sarkozy, he uses polls to lean upon public opinion. And he changes direction as a consequence. Thibault has yet to confront the old communist guard which maintains a certain destructive power within the CGT. Nonetheless, the reformist option has high chances of winning the day, as revolution is no longer in fashion." (15/11/2007)

The Irish Times - Ireland

The daily focuses on French president Nicolas Sarkozy and his short and long-term chances of resolving the current crisis. "Most voters are disappointed with the progress made so far [since Sarkozy's election], despite tax cuts during the summer, but they know it is too soon to make a real judgment. Stuttering levels of growth and increasing public deficits do not bode well for his programme, and neither does the current turmoil on world equity and energy markets. He promises to address several of these problems at European level during his EU presidency next year. President Sarkozy has the political skill to negotiate his way through this confrontation and thereby survive the threat it poses to his mandate for change. In the longer term he should be judged by his success in delivering on the promise of greater economic dynamism and more jobs." (15/11/2007)

Le Nouvel Observateur - France

"Sarkozy's government is paying a high price for six months of facility and illusion. ... Soon after his rise to power, a golden rain poured down upon middle and upper classes. For the working class, the only thing on the horizon was the promise of sacrifices. The contrast was definitely too sharp, the class politics too arrogant", considers columnist Jacques Julliard. "Sarkozy's government, according to all probability, is bound to loose the great test of strength that has begun. I hear people saying that he will not back down on the special pension reforms, because that would be giving up on any hope of other future reforms. This is true, but he has already given in. He has given in to medical students, fishermen and train drivers. Oh! He won't officially go back on the forty years of pension contributions demanded. But he will negotiate compensation that will reduce the financial effects of the reform to nothing." (15/11/2007)

Diário de Notícias - Portugal

"Nicolas Sarkozy has promised to change government attitude to the French national railway and public transport workers who abuse their power" rejoices the conservative daily. "For decades, the leadership has been impotent in the face of workers 'capable of toppling all governments', as Michel Rocard, François Mitterrand's socialist Prime Minister put it. That it is necessary to suppress their privileges has been repeated on numerous occasions. ... Sarkozy wants to put an end to the special pension schemes. There is nothing new about this. What could be a novelty would be for a French government to be firm enough to make these privileged workers step into line. If Nicolas Sarkozy succeeds in rising to this challenge, we will be able to declare the birth of a new France." (15/11/2007)

» To the complete press review of Thursday, November 15, 2007

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