French press frets over youth law crisis

Press commentators in France express serious concern over the government's handling of the youth labour law which saw rioting on the streets on Tuesday.

Both Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin and President Jacques Chirac come in for criticism for failing to stem the crisis, while a business daily commentator argues the French are not yet ready to confront the economic challenges facing the country.

SERGE FAUBERT IN FRANCE-SOIR

Never has a solution to the crisis seemed so distant. Never has it been so urgent. At this point one might think about dissolving the National Assembly, because it is better that the confrontation should continue at the ballot box rather than in the street. If it continues with its intransigence, the government will be forced sooner or later to consider this solution.

FRANCOIS-XAVIER PIETRI IN BUSINESS DAILY LA TRIBUNE

The evidence suggests that the right has gained nothing on this issue. But the main loser will probably be France. Firstly, because this affair does nothing to help the economy... because the country's image, which is already fragile internationally, will be dealt another blow. The events of recent weeks tend to prove that the French are not yet ready, even though now is the time, to come to terms with the economy; and that our political class is not doing much - to say the very least - to help them in this.

JEAN-MICHEL THENARD IN LIBERATION

There is an urgent need for [President Jacques] Chirac, who has allowed his prime minister to kill off any dialogue, to get a grip on things and accept his role of arbitrator by withdrawing the CPE if the Constitutional Council does not do him a favour by invalidating the legislation tomorrow. If, on the contrary, he continues to allow things to stagnate, this could sully the end of his term in office.

PATRICK APEL-MULLER IN COMMUNIST PARTY'S L'HUMANITE

He [Villepin] has no other option than to withdraw the CPE and listen to what the country is saying. All the trade unions without exception have repeated this to him. A refusal to budge, an archaic approach and a contempt for democracy will not quell the anger. Another manoeuvre would trigger a major crisis.

CHRISTIAN DIGNE IN LA MARSEILLAISE

The fact that two months after the first demonstrations the prime minister has not moved one iota says a lot about his inability to come to terms with the job... What can one now expect from the occupant of the premier's office who has played double or quits with his political future and has undoubtedly lost?

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