French government allows Paris march in U-turn

In a last-minute climbdown, France's Socialist government gave the go-ahead Wednesday for a Paris march against its hotly-contested labour reforms, reversing a ban announced a short time earlier.

Philippe Martinez of the far-left CGT union said the U-turn won through "tough talks" with Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve was a "victory for the unions and for democracy".

Only hours earlier the government had cited security concerns in denying permission for the march set for Thursday, drawing fire from across the political spectrum.

The march will be the 10th in a wave of protests against the labour reforms that kicked off in March, with many descending into violence, notably in Paris and the western cities of Nantes and Rennes.

President Francois Hollande had threatened the ban after the violence reached a peak in Paris on June 14, just four days after the start of the Euro 2016 football tournament in France.

The government initially insisted on a stationary demonstration, saying it would be easier to control, but the seven unions and student groups organising the demo dug in their heels for a march.

The two sides finally agreed on a shorter 1.6 kilometre (one-mile) alternative route proposed by the interior ministry.

Last Tuesday's violence saw hundreds of masked protesters and police fighting running street battles.

Police used water cannon to quell rioters who hurled projectiles at them and bashed in storefronts, with 40 people hurt and dozens arrested.

The volte-face drew scorn from right-wing former prime minister Alain Juppe, who tweeted: "Once again the government acts in panic rather than assuming its responsibilities. Demonstration of its carelessness."

Political reaction ahead of the reversal had been swift, with Socialist MP Christian Paul -- who heads the left flank of Hollande's party in parliament -- condemning it as a "historic error" and far-right leader Marine Le Pen calling it a "serious violation of democracy".

- Security forces stretched -

France is already on high alert for security threats during Euro 2016, which has also been blighted by hooliganism.

A Paris police statement had earlier complained of "the heavy demands... on the security forces for several months" and noted the extra burdens posed by the hosting of the Euro and the continuing terrorist threat.

The government and unions have blamed each other for the recurring violence during the protests.

While the unions have alleged incompetent and heavy-handed policing, the interior ministry accuses activists of turning a blind eye to attacks on police.

The CGT and seven other organisations called Thursday for a probe into what they called "dysfunctional" policing.

"Many protesters have been.... removed, chased, injured, arrested by police forces even when they have committed no offence," they said in a joint statement.

Prime Minister Manuel Valls called for all concerned to "show the greatest responsibility in order to avoid fresh violence."

He added: "The French people do not tolerate and will not tolerate any excesses or those who do not condemn them."

The proposed labour reforms are aimed at making the job market more flexible and reducing high unemployment.

Critics see the measures as too pro-business and a threat to cherished workers' rights.

A survey out Sunday found that two in three French people are opposed to the labour bill, which is currently before the Senate.

Hollande, who faces a re-election bid next April, had hoped for a signature reform to reverse his dire approval ratings.

But pressure from the street, as well as parliament's back benches, caused the government to water down the proposals, which only angered bosses while failing to assuage critics.

Source: AFP