French students snub talks offer
Protesting students boycotted the French prime minister’s invitation to discuss a contested youth jobs plan today, bringing the prospect of next week’s planned nationwide strike a step closer.
After the most important student associations snubbed talks, Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin appealed anew for dialogue, saying he was ready to negotiate on the law’s most contentious points.
He also proposed more scholarship money for disadvantaged students, to help them between graduation and their first jobs.
“I hope that, through dialogue, we can rapidly find a solution,” said Villepin, a likely contender in France’s 2007 presidential elections.
The lack of a breakthrough left France facing the likelihood of major transport disruptions in Tuesday’s strike, and of new violent street protests over the law, which makes it easier for companies to hire – and fire – young workers.
Civil aviation authorities said they expect disturbances and cancelled flights.
In Paris, about half of subway trains are expected to run. Forecasts for major rail lines were not yet available.
The leading high school and university student unions, which had refused to meet Villepin and delivered him a letter instead, said they were angry the prime minister was ready only to discuss modifying the law – not repealing it.
“It’s a joke to propose dialogue in this manner,” said Julie Coudry, president of the Student Confederation.
The largest student association, UNEF, also refused talks, although several smaller, less representative student unions attended. Villepin said he would meet students again next week.
