STEVE INSKEEP, Host: Eleanor Beardsley has more from Paris.</s>ELEANOR BEARDSLEY: Opponents, now buoyed by their success, are demanding the government withdraw the law entirely. Bruno Guliarph), head of France's largest student union, spoke on television this morning.</s>BRUNO GULIAR: (Through translator) The government and especially the Prime Minister do not understand what's happening. This is like a huge tidal wave passing over not only French youth, but parents and working people, and the only way to stop this growing crisis is purely and simply to withdraw the measure.</s>ELEANOR BEARDSLEY: A government spokesman was more firm on the matter, saying that giving an ultimatum to the state over a law passed by Parliament amounted to an effort to extinguish democracy and the very foundations of the Republic. Political journalist Jean Marquis Luz(ph) says the impending crisis is serious for two reasons.</s>JEAN MARQUIS LUZ: First of all, the unions have never been as unified as today, and they might want to go for a general strike, which would have, of course, a terrible impact on the French economy. Secondly, because less than a year away from the French presidential elections the new Prime Minister, Mr. de Villepin, he might lose in that battle his future as a presidential candidate.</s>ELEANOR BEARDSLEY: The battle lines have been drawn, and the national media speaks of little else. Some say French President Jacques Chirac may have to intercede to end the crisis. Christian Mallard, a political commentator for France 3 television says French governments have a habit of backing down to the street.</s>CHRISTIAN MALLARD: If Mr. de Villepin resists the pressure that has been exerted upon by all these unions, left wing position and the students, he will be the first one in 20 years.</s>ELEANOR BEARDSLEY: For NPR News I'm Eleanor Beardsley, in Paris.
Unions are threatening a one-day general strike in France over a government jobs plan that has sparked nationwide protests. The plan is aimed at making it easier for employers to hire — and fire — young workers.