Hundreds of thousands of public employees, joined by students and striking railway workers, took part in raucous demonstrations across France yesterday to protest against President Nicolas Sarkozy's plans for state sector job cuts and other economic reforms.

fasinating to watch another country go through the political contest Britain went through in the early/mid eighties - specifics aside - this is about who runs the country, the unions or the elected government

Sarkozy: strikers are taking France hostage - Independent Online Edition - Europe