Press

The Age

Sarkozy pension plan stirs protest

THE sniff of a new revolution was in the air yesterday as thousands of French workers downed tools and took to the streets in protest against government demands they work harder - and longer - to age 62.

France's teachers and nurses, airline staff, bus drivers, factory workers and bank clerks united in fury against Nicolas Sarkozy's administration, nicknamed ''bling-bling'' for its perceived bias towards the French moneyed elite. ''You won't see lawyers or bankers or politicians marching,'' said David, a 30-year-old taxi driver. ''But at the Elysee you will see one minister, one chauffeur, one bodyguard and him in the back seat. Why should we work till we die while they do nothing?''

More than 200 rallies unfolded throughout France and hundreds of thousands poured on to the streets in Paris alone.

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