March 28, 2006
BBC
There were reports of fighting as crowds took to the streets of the French capital amid a hail storm.
Photo: Hundreds of thousands of people are protesting across France against the government's controversial youth employment laws.
Extra riot police had been deployed before the march. A rally in Paris last week led to running battles.
A nationwide strike has closed large parts of France's transport networks.
Workers and students in more than 100 cities are calling for the government to scrap the controversial employment contracts.
Unions reported a huge turnout for a march in Marseille, and large crowds were expected in other cities.
TRAVEL CHAOS
As transport workers joined the strike, commuters were left battling with widespread disruption as large parts of the country's rail, bus and air networks came to a halt.
This isn't just an economical issue, but a law that affects the lifestyle of every youngster — Bram, Paris
The trade unions and student groups are hoping Tuesday's protest in Paris will be the largest so far, the BBC's James Menendez says.
French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy met police in the capital before the march, and told them to only get tough with those he called delinquents.
"My first instruction is that you protect the demonstrators, especially the youngest ones," he said.
"The second instruction is to arrest as many thugs, that means delinquents, as you can."
Photo: Rail networks and underground train services have been badly hit
Unions said between 200,000 and 250,000 people turned out for a march in Marseille - many more than at the previous worker-student demonstrations on 18 March.
In the western city of Nantes, police put the figure at 42,000, more than double the 18 March turnout. Le Mans, Rouen and Tours also reported increased crowds.
As transport workers joined the strike, the state-run SNCF rail company said only two out of three of its high-speed trains, about 40% of other long-distance trains and about half of its suburban lines were operating.
In Paris, the underground rail network and the RER suburban service have already been badly hit by the strike.
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FRENCH STUDENT PROTESTS
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2005: Conservative education minister withdraws key elements of school reform after pupils and teachers protest
1995: Protests over pension reforms push Conservative PM Alain Juppe from office two years later
1994: Conservative PM Edouard Balladur abandons law cutting wages for young people in job training in face of month of protests
1986: Mass protest leads Conservative government to shelves university reform plan
May 1968: Uprisings help undermine legitimacy of President Charles de Gaulle, who stands down following year
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Disruption was also reported in Bordeaux, Lille, Marseille, Nancy, Strasbourg and Valenciennes.
Airport authorities warned of delays and cancellations and urged passengers to check with their airlines.
Schools, post-offices, banks, government offices and unemployment bureaux are also experiencing serious disruption.
'TEST OF RESOLVE'
Protesters are bitterly opposed to the First Employment Contract (CPE), which allows employers to end job contracts for under-26s at any time during a two-year trial period without having to offer an explanation or give prior warning.
The government says it will encourage employers to hire young people but students fear it will erode job stability in a country where more than 20% of 18 to 25-year-olds are unemployed - more than twice the national average.
The BBC's Caroline Wyatt in Paris says these latest demonstrations are a real test of the Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin's resolve, and it is hard to see how he can break the stalemate.
To find a solution without losing face - or ground to his main rival for the presidency, Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy - is proving the biggest challenge of Mr de Villepin's political career, our correspondent adds.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4851626.stm