Protestors in Lille, France, April 4, 2006, during clashes following a student demonstration against the French government's new job law, which makes it easier to fire young workers. Police said at least 1 million people poured into the streets across France on Tuesday and youths clashed with riot officers in the latest protests against the government.
A demonstrator shouts as unionists and students demonstrate against the French government's new labor law in Paris April 4, 2006. Rioting youths in downtown Paris ripped up street signs and park benches and heaved stones and other objects at police. Riot police replied with tear gas and rubber pellets and arrested more than 200 people.
Students hold hands under the Eiffel Tower during a rally Monday, April 3, 2006 in Paris. French protesters, declaring themselves on the brink of victory, hoped to rally at least a million people for nationwide marches and strikes Tuesday against a law, aimed at stemming joblessness, that has plunged the country into crisis.
Police uses water canons on Republic square to disperse protesters after a march against the First Job Contract law, known as CPE, Tuesday, March 28, 2006 in Paris. More than a million demonstrators poured onto France's streets, and strikers shut down the Eiffel Tower and disrupted plane, train and bus services in the largest nationwide protests so far against a new law that will make it easier to fire young people.
Police officers in plain clothes, right, arrest a youth on Republic square, as riot policemen rush at left, after a protest march against the First Job Contract law, March 28, 2006 in Paris.
People march during a protest against the First Job Contract, known as CPE, Tuesday, March 28, 2006 in Paris. Nationwide strikes disrupted airline, train and bus services, and sent more than 200,000 protesters into the streets across France on Tuesday as unions joined in solidarity with students angered by a new youth labor law.
Demonstrators take the street in Rennes, France, Tuesday March 28, 2006. Nationwide transportation strikes and protests were a major test for Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin in a crucial week in his ongoing standoff with opponents of the so-called First Job Contract, his recipe to reduce sky-high youth unemployment levels in France.
French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin reacts at the National Assembly during a session of questions to the government March 28, 2006 in Paris. Tens of thousands of protesters poured onto France's streets and striking workers hobbled transport services, increasing pressure on the embattled prime minister to withdraw a contested new jobs contract.
Youths clash with police in a cloud of tear gas during riots following a demonstration by students against the First Job Contract, or CPE, on Thursday, March 23, 2006 in Rennes, France. Students across the country are trying to force the government to withdraw a contested jobs law that could take effect in April.
Rescuers help an injured photographer near the Invalides Plaza in Paris during clashes following a student demonstration against the First Job Contract March 23, 2006. Dozens of people appeared injured, and police said 42 people had been arrested. The clashes followed an earlier protest march by 23,000 people through the city to try to force the government to withdraw a contested jobs law.
A youth hits a press photographer with a burning cloth during clashes following a demonstration against the First Job Contract on March 23, 2006 near the Invalides Plaza in Paris. Riot police used tear gas on rowdy protesters who hurled grapefruit-sized chunks of concrete at police officers. Some of the 23,000 marchers turned on each other, beating and kicking.
Cars burn near the Invalides Plaza during clashes following a students' demonstration against the First Job Contract, or CPE, on Thursday, March 23, 2006. The French capital braced for its fifth day of street protests by students trying to force the government to withdraw a contested jobs law. The interior minister warned that violence would be severely punished.
Students carrying flowers shout slogans during a demonstration in Rennes, western France, on March 23, 2006. Tens of thousands of students marched in cities throughout France, including Tours, Orleans and Marseille, as part of rolling protests designed to maintain pressure on the conservative government to cancel a new law they fear will undermine job security for young workers.
Students demonstrate in Nice, France, on March 23, 2006. French student groups, bolstered by a firm show of support from trade unions, led a protest march to ratchet up pressure on the government to scrap a contested labor law. French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin expressed willingness to soften two provisions of the First Job Contract, or CPE, but refused to consider canceling it altogether.
Thousands of students demonstrate in Marseille, France, during a nationwide protest against the First Job Contract, a known as CPE, on March 23, 2006. The CPE would allow employers to fire people under age 26 at any stage during a two-year trial period, without stating a reason.
Police officers in plain clothes arrest a protester during clashes following a students' demonstration on Thursday, March 23, 2006, near the Invalides Plaza in Paris. The French capital braced for a new day of street protests by students trying to force the government to withdraw a contested jobs law. The interior minister warned that violence would be severely punished.
Smoke from burning cars billows from a street and blurs the view of the Eiffel Tower near the Invalides Plaza on March 23, 2006, during clashes following a demonstration against the First Job Contract. The jobs law, meant to put the brakes on sky-high unemployment and make France's economy more flexible, would allow employers to more easily hire and fire workers under 26.
Students gather on the Invalides Plaza, ending their march through Paris against the First Job Contract, or CPE, on March 23, 2006. It was the fifth day students across the country have used marches to press conservative Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin to withdraw a measure that does away with the generous job protections the French are used to.
Students shout slogans during a protest in Lille, northern France, on March 23, 2006. Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin has refused to withdraw a contested jobs plan despite mounting pressure. However, he has said he is prepared to modify certains aspects of the law, passed by parliament in February.
Students, one brandishing her voting card, right, march through Paris during a demonstration on March 23, 2006. Students and labor unions are against the New Jobs Contract, which would let employers fire young workers in their first two years on a job without saying why.