French strikes continue

Jo Breiner — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:38:10 +0000

Protests over pension reforms in France continue to escalate. Students have joined the protests against President Nicolas Sarkozy’s plan to raise the minimum retirement age from 60 to 62. International Relations professor William Keylor offers the following view.

“How ironic is it that 16-year-old high school students are protesting against a campaign to raise the minimum retirement age from 60 to 62. Who says that today’s youth (at least in France) is concerned only about issues that directly affect it? It is a reflection of the intense political consciousness of this country as well of the tradition of going into the streets to influence public policy.”

Contact William Keylor, 617-358-0197, wrkeylor@bu.edu

Sarkozy challenged from the right

Dick Taffe — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:15:52 +0000

French President Nicolas Sarkozy (r.) is being challenged from within his own party by former Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin (l.). The challenge could split Sarkozy’s ruling conservative party in the 2012 elections. International relations Professor William Keylor reminds that Villepin was the aristocratic French foreign minister who scolded U.S. Secretary of State Powell during the U.N. debate over the Iraq war.

“The contrast in style between the two rivals within the French conservative ranks could not be more striking — it’s like a pedigreed poodle challenging a pit bull.”

Contact William Keylor, 617-358-0197, wrkeylor@bu.edu

BU Now » Nicolas Sarkozy

French strikes continue

Sarkozy challenged from the right