Protests in France Turn Violent

Protests in France took a violent turn on Thursday, as demonstrators threw chunks of concrete at police, which responded with tear gas.

Meanwhile, Dominique de Villepin has scheduled a meeting today with the unions to discuss the new work contract for youths, which caused the violence and protests. 21 universities are on strike to protest against the law, while 46 others reported disturbances. Villepin's proposal comes after 3 days in which French officials stated the new law was not to be revoked, suspended or changed.

The five main unions, among which La Confederation Francaise Democratique du Travail, Confederation Generale du Travail and Force Ouvriere, will take part in the meeting and will only negotiate if the law is withdrawn.

De Villepin said he was not open to concessions but he is ready to discuss the two-year period during which an employee can be fired and justification for the firing. The unions repeated their decision that they will "engage in any dialogue or negotiations on jobs, insecurity or the future of youth" only when the law is withdrawn.

The CPE law is aimed at unemployment among youths, making France's economy more flexible, and allows employers to hire and fire more easily workers under 26. Violence ignited in Paris's Esplanade des Invalides, where the police tried to contain the situation, while 23,000 marchers turned on each other, beating and kicking.

According to police officials, 420 people were arrested nationwide, and 18 officers were injured. A survey made by the French polling company CSA showed last week that about 60% of French people are against the law.