FRANCE: The French right-wing majority UMP party began negotiations with unions yesterday amid rumours that prime minister Dominique de Villepin could resign, and of further disruption by protesters.
Nicolas Sarkozy, the head of the UMP and interior minister, wrested responsibility for the CPE or First Job Contract from Mr de Villepin last weekend. Mr Sarkozy entrusted negotiations with the 12 trade and student unions, who have organised massive protests across France, to Bernard Accoyer and Josselin de Rohan, the leaders of the UMP groups in the National Assembly and Senate.
"What purpose does Villepin serve?" asked Le Parisien newspaper's headline yesterday. The prime minister fuelled speculation that he would resign by saying ambiguously in the National Assembly: "As head of government, I shall naturally draw all the necessary conclusions in the coming days." Mr de Villepin's statement was diversely interpreted. "He's clearly announcing a possible resignation," UDF deputy Maurice Leroy said. Georges Tron, a UMP deputy and Villepin loyalist, said the prime minister meant: "I am fulfilling my role as head of government." A BVA opinion poll to be published in L'Express magazine today shows Mr de Villepin's popularity rating has dropped 14 percentage points since the end of February, to 28 per cent. Jérôme Sainte-Marie, the head of BVA polling institute, said such a rapid fall is extremely rare. Mr de Villepin's popularity has declined on the right too: 11 points among UMP voters; 15 points among UDF voters. Some 49 per cent said they wanted Mr de Villepin to remain in office, while 45 per cent want his resignation.
The Senate was considered "neutral ground" for yesterday's consultations between the UMP and trade union leaders. The parliamentarians are meeting separately with each of 12 trade and student unions, in talks scheduled to last through tomorrow.
After meeting in the morning, before the talks started, the unions announced a new ultimatum: if the CPE is not repealed before Easter holidays begin on April 17th, they will hold another national day of protest.
Opponents of the CPE are in a position of strength following their mobilisation of up to three million protesters two weeks in a row. Furthermore, they are seamlessly united in their demand for the abrogation of the CPE.
By contrast, the UMP is torn between Sarkozystes and Chiraco-Villepin Légitimistes. Some right-wing parliamentarians want to abolish the CPE. Others want to "improve" it, while hardliners say it must be maintained.
Mr Sarkozy is faced with the challenge of defusing the CPE crisis while maintaining unity on the right. If he appears to give in to the left, the unions and students, he risks losing credibility with his own followers.
Some of the universities and lycées shut down by striking students have been reopened, but the students hope to keep up pressure on the government by attacking the economy. Students and workers shut down two postal sorting centres in Toulouse yesterday.
Some 600 anti-CPE demonstrators blocked access to the wholesale food market in Nantes for three hours.