Villepin
Friday March 24: Summary of events
A round-up of today's main events, including unions meeting with Villepin, university occupations, rioting and mugging of demonstrators.
Summary of todays events:
-The five main trade unions to meet Villepin today at the Matignon (his official residence)
Villepin: withdrawal 'not possible'
In a speech to members of his UMP party this evening, French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin has ruled out the withdrawal of the CPE.
In a transcript of the speech distributedto journalists, translated for libcom.org, Villepin declares:
Villepin speaks to Paris Match
Rough translation of text lifted from an article in todays Le Monde.
In an interview with the weekly magazine Paris-Match thats due to appear in shops from Thursday, Domenique de Villepin recognizes that he "wanted to move quickly" on the contract first engages (CPE). "Now, it is necessary that I explain and convince. I will do it until the end because I believe in this policy", declares it.
Support for Villepin falls as 65% oppose CPE
But pollsters say discontent with the plan is the main reason why his popularity has sunk, a worrying sign for him a year before a presidential election in which he could run.
A poll in left-leaning newspaper Liberation put his approval rating at 37 percent, down from 44 percent in February and 49 percent in January. The previous low was 41 percent last June.
Chirac, Sarkozy and Villepin to present united front
Rough translation of reports at lemonde.fr.
Domenica de Villepin, Jacques Chirac and Nicolas Sarkozy are from now on like mountaineering comrades. If one is to fall, the two others risk the same fall or, at least, of serious wounds.
Mixed messages from Villepin
This evening French PM Dominique de Villepin has responded in a French television interview to the CPE rebellion.
The last week of protests and university sitins has seen up to a million on the streets and the violent crushing of a student occupation at the University Sorbonne.
