FAN-DABI-SARKOZY

From SchNEWS, the Direct Action Newsletter
http://www.schnews.org.uk/archive/news587.htm#5

France celebrated the victory of its new right wing president Nicholas Sarkozy with 2 days of solid rioting that left several hundred cars burned, 600 arrested and 30 police injured. Sarkozy, who as interior minister inflamed an already tense situation in France’s ghettos during the last but one round of rioting by saying that he would clean the ‘scum’ from the suburbs. His not so veiled racist remarks did him well in winning the far right vote from Le Penn’s national front party. Another of his electoral promises was to “liquidate the legacy of ‘May 1968”- the mass movement of students, workers and libertarians. Sarkozy (referred to by many French as, ‘the American President’) wants to improve relations with the US, and has criticised Chirac for his ‘arrogance’ in opposing Bush & Blair’s push to invade Iraq. Both Bush and Blair have responded warmly to news of his victory - which speaks volumes about the kind of guy that he is.

Aiming to bring in a raft of Thatcheresque style reforms, he has been threatening to make France a more hard working, more efficient nation, hoping to bring in something like an uncomplaining slave, er sorry, protestant work ethic to a country famous for long lunch breaks and an easygoing attitude to a [drink] on the job. He plans to end the 35 hour working week and cut benefits. The last time an incoming French president promised something similar was when Chirac was first elected back in 1995. The result? A wave of strikes ripped through the country that forced the government to back down. Plus Ca Change! In response to his victory/the riots, Sarkozy decided to go on a short holiday on a luxury yacht.