Thousands of students and workers marched in cities across France today in what appeared to be the biggest show of anger yet at a jobs plan that threatens to weaken the government.
For the second time in three days, students - this time joined by unions and employees - used marches to press conservative Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin to withdraw the measure, which could take effect next month. Strikes already have paralyzed 16 universities.
Two unions claimed that 400,000 people took part in the Paris protest. Police gave no immediate estimate.
President Jacques Chirac has pushed Villepin to act "as quickly as possible."
Student union leader Bruno Julliard said: "If by (Saturday night), the government doesn't withdraw this contract, we'll continue."
The plan, known as the "new jobs contract," is meant to increase employment among less privileged youths by making the labour market more flexible.