'Sarko watch your ass, we’re coming really fast'

"More researchers, less traders". 11 March demonstration in Paris. Posted on Flickr by "Ptit@l"

On today's menu in France you'll find general strikes and national protests. The main ingredient? Brilliant slogans! Here's our selection of the ones that didn't get lost in translation.

If you want to read the originals (where they actually rhyme...), see the French version.

Our favourites from recent demos

"We're sick and tired of watching you fools, opening prisons and closing schools"

"It's Spring now - time to throw out the Elysee squatter!" This refers to a law in France which means that even if rent is not paid a landlord cannot expel you during the winter months because it's deemed too cold by the law.

"Carla Carla, we're all like you. We're getting fucked by the head of state too"

"What are we moaning about? For being taken for louts!"

"Fillon you're breaking my balls. We'll see each other at the polls!" (François Fillon is Prime Minister of France)

"Long live early risers who get up to serve their majesty Sarkozy"

"Fired parents,
Poor youth,
It can't go on forever,
Time to move"

"Sarko watch your ass, we're coming really fast"

"Sarkozy, France is not Neuilly" (Neuilly-sur-Seine is the rich commune outside Paris where Sarkozy was mayor before becoming president).

"Champion students say no no,
Champion students say no or see your jobs go"

Comments

Strikes? - Typical French mentality...

Submitted by Randall Nelson (not verified) on Fri, 20/03/2009 - 06:39.

The economy is in a downfall. People are losing jobs all over the world.
The French go on strike for what reason is the cause? So they can lose more jobs by not being competitive in a global marketplace.
It is well known (in Canada where I live and every where else in the world) that France is a business risk due to labour disputes and high wages associated with keeping a nipple in everyones mouth.
The world is told to buckle up and not lay down to hard times - while the French hide under the blanket of Socialism.
Stand up for ONCE and fight - for global competition and export revenue.

Unregistered user

To Randall

Submitted by FF259 (not verified) on Fri, 20/03/2009 - 12:09.

Randall Nelson’s comment is very funny. France always receives the best rating for risk by independent agencies and has less workdays lost to strike than many other industrialized countries.

“France is a business risk due to labor disputes and high wages associated with keeping a nipple in everyone’s mouth” – that is not right since French workers consistently top the first or second spot of the global productivity rating as the most competitive worker in the world.

Treat people right, provide health care and education and you will have competent and dynamic people such as those in France. There is not necessarily a trade-off between welfare and productivity; it is often the other way round. Those country who just “fight for global competition and export revenue” fail to have a sustainable economic environment in the long term (think Ireland, Iceland, Argentina, etc) while those who mix economic and social progress have more long-term success and stability (think France, Germany, South-Korea, etc).

Unregistered user

To Randall

Submitted by Randall Nelson (not verified) on Sat, 21/03/2009 - 06:46.

I appreciate your response in that it was tactful and responded with data.
My previous professional experience with business in Châteaudun and understanding of employee/employer commitments made me respond in such frustration. I again still appreciate the way you handled your response, however see no logic in striking due to economic situations while everyone is concentrated on working harder.

Thank-you.

Unregistered user

I guess striking is so

Submitted by FF259 (not verified) on Mon, 23/03/2009 - 12:17.

I guess striking is so important in France because it is a very efficient bargaining tools but also because it is a cultural trait that people feel important to preserve :)

Unregistered user