palace revolution?

Yesterday in Paris more than 200 000 people went out into the streets to protest a new youth labour law being passed. Set to take effect next month, it would let companies fire employees younger than 26 without reason in the first two years on the job. This is really the most ridiculous serious piece of legislation I have ever heard of.

Even with the huge marches under way Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin parliament that he was open to talks on employment and possible changes to the law but did not say that he would withdraw it. Mr. Villepin says the greater flexibility will encourage companies to hire young workers, who face a 22 per cent unemployment rate in France.

Can you imagine if Harper ever tried to pass some kind of crap like that here?