France:Nicolas Sarkozy faced his first major showdown with France's powerful trade unions yesterday as a 24-hour strike over pension reform caused transport chaos.
Paris's metro and suburban rail system ground to a near halt, forcing commuters to walk, drive or fight to find one of the city's new hire bikes. The major museums and theatres in Paris closed, and striking electricity workers cut off the supply to La Lanterne, an official residence in the grounds of the palace of Versailles which the president uses as a second home.
It was the first real confrontation between the unions and the president, who was elected in May with a strong mandate to reform France's labour laws and streamline the public sector. In the past, the unions have forced governments to retreat from reforms - notably on pensions. But the government remained resolute yesterday, insisting the door was open for talks over plans to axe the special pensions privileges which allow certain state workers to retire early on favourable terms.
Thousands of strikers marched through Paris and other major French cities. Major union leaders are to meet next week to decide on further action.
- (Guardian service)