The French Government CONSIDERS Refusing To Cave In To Rioters

French President Jacques Chirac faced the tough decision on Thursday of whether to sign a youth job law and risk sparking more nationwide protests, or withdraw it and risk losing his prime minister.

The Constitutional Council backed the law on Thursday, with no reservations, leaving its fate in Chirac's hands. He will address the nation on Friday at 1:00 p.m. EST.

Parliamentary sources said they expected Chirac to sign the CPE jobs law on Friday, despite the risk of renewed protests.

This is the law I referenced in my Wednesday post which, if passed, would kill "job security" for French workers under 26 years old and likely would have discouraged all French businesses from hiring any workers under 26 -- knowing that any blithering idiot could not have been fired. Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said the law, if signed by Chirac, will encourage employers to hire more young workers. Because Reality smacked those under 26 right in the head, mass protests and riots, by millions of students and unions, resulted.

I retain my right to remain, well, skeptical. I will wait for conclusive decisions.

BZ