Fuel fears of Jospin and EU nations

EU nations fear similar protests

By European affairs analyst William Horsley

The spreading protests across France threaten to grow into a political crisis for the government led by socialist Prime Minister Lionel Jospin.

The Greens, key coalition partners in the French Government, have spoken out against concessions made to road hauliers as the authorities try to end the blockade of fuel depots around the country.

Protesers have blocked rail and road lnks

One party member said: "No-one can say for sure whether we will leave or not."

The unrest looks set to grow, both in France and elsewhere in Europe, as other groups of workers demand protection from the soaring costs of fuel.

The French Government sought to buy industrial peace by giving subsidies in the form of tax refunds to groups of workers hardest hit by the record fuel prices.

Angry ally

But Greens environment minister Dominique Voynet criticised the decision to placate the road hauliers with rebates spread over two years.

Greens minister Voynet criticised concessions to hauliers

Speaking on television, she said the Greens had joined the government in order to see a move away from road transport towards rail, and she made an oblique threat to resign in case of further concessions, saying that her party would "draw the consequences if and when the line is crossed".

Greens deputy Noel Mamere said "This is getting close to a casus belli .... the government has badly misjudged the political consequences of its agreement with the hauliers."

Mr Jospin stopped short of caving in to everything the transport industry was demanding, and says he will not give away any more.

His cabinet was rocked last month by the resignation of the interior minister Jean-Pierre Chevenement, who opposed the government's plans to hand over more autonomy to the island of Corsica.

Encouraged by signs of weakness from the government, militant truck drivers, farmers and other groups are now stepping up their protests in the hope of more concessions.

European fears

There is now a real danger of copycat actions by groups of workers in countries like Germany, Belgium and Spain, who do not want to pay higher taxes than their counterparts in France.

That could spell an autumn of discontent across Europe.

It may also lead to a clash with the European Commission, which is studying whether the special rebates on fuel tax may violate the laws of the European Union's single market.