by Global Risk Insights
Financial Sense
Government labor market reform has triggered a nationwide wave of protests in France that highlight how traditional labor unions have joined forces with more modern anti-establishment radicals. The situation increases the risk of violent unrest and underscores soaring tensions within French society.
There are few other places in Western Europe like France where leftist political and social movements try to actively rebuke efforts to reform the labor market. Unions and political parties with historical socialist affiliations comprise the bulk of the opposition to reforms required by France for a free-market, liberal economy.