As disparate but linked militant youth protests simultaneously erupt in a number of countries across the continent, French President Nicholas Sarkozy has retreated on two controversial pieces of domestic legislation out of fear that a spectre is haunting Europe - the spectre of 1968.
The 2006 anti-CPE mouvement is a blueprint for recent protest: an effective national coordination that actually accomplished goals it set. In Italy attempts at national coordination are still embryonic. The national meeting in mid-November has yet to establish goals and strategy. It has managed to push back the government agenda on education but is still distant from the French 2006 organization, singularity of intent and effectiveness.
Well, I suppose it could be worse. It could be the spirit of 1848. Or would that be better? Il faut se dépêcher d'agir, on a le monde à reconstruire
Anytime a government ignores the views of the people through the established channels they run the risk of public demonstrations, it is merely a last resort of something which cannot be held down.
What do they want? To be heard. Everything else is propaganda.
