Oh, goody. Another article to mock and condescend at those who would disagree:

A national transport strike is set for Thursday, and after that, wider demonstrations are scheduled by teachers and students resisting reforms in the vast national education bureaucracy. A far-left leader with a growing audience has said he would like to see a general strike.

OMG, they are resisting 'reforms' of the national education 'bureaucracy'. Funny how there is no mention in this article of how this might effect 'education' itself, and what it might do to 'class sizes'. No, it is just 'reforms' of a 'vast bureaucracy'.

In contrast to May 1968, French students are more clearly divided now between idealists (or nihilists) ready to head for the barricades and those who want to take exams and think that France's state-oriented capitalism must be  overhauled.

But there is hope! Even famously pampered and strong headed French students are beginning to realize that one gets ahead by studying and taking ones exams and listening to ones elders and betters and not complaining. Yes, one must accept the inevitable 'modernization' of a horribly backwards country with an outdated social and economic model. Those that don't are nihilists. They need to restrain this glorified old reflex... But I hear France has very good riot police, so it may be alright after all.

He was elected president as a reformer and would lose all credibility at home if he wavered in his commitment to uproot France's conservatism, castes and comfort in living with a foot in the past.

Errahhghgghhh...