FRANCE-POLITICS-JOBS-YOUTH-DEMOS

A student at the Marguerite de Navarre high school in the Normand town of Alencon stands at the entrance of the building early 22 March 2006. The blockade of the school started 13 March 2006 and is to be continued until 25 March as part of the national protest against the First Employment Contract (CPE). The CPE is an open-ended contract for those under 26, which can be terminated within the first two years without a motive. French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin stood by his contested youth jobs plan 20 March, as an ultimatum for its withdrawal passed with no hint of concession and unions promised a new day of nationwide protests next week. Banner at left reads : "No to the CPE". AFP PHOTO THOMAS COEX (Photo by JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP) (Photo by JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP via Getty Images)