• The strikes in France

  President Nicolas Sarkozy of France is facing a critical test this month as a strike movement protesting against his industrial and economic reforms gathers pace. He insists he has a political mandate for change. Rail, public transport and energy trade unions are leading strikes against plans to bring their favourable early retirement schemes to an end ahead of a wider pension reform next year. They are being joined in a more general social movement by variously dissatisfied students, teachers and civil servants. If Mr Sarkozy cannot find a way to claim victory in this conflict his credibility as a reformer planning a rupture with the past will be seriously damaged. p
  

• An Post's reprieve

  The decision by the European Court of Justice that will allow An Post to retain the contract for dispensing welfare payments, in the absence of a tendering process, will come as a considerable relief to the company and to the Government. The contract, worth some €52 million a year, provides the backbone of retail services at many small post offices and its loss would inevitably have led to hardship and a reduction in the number of outlets. p
  

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