BBC: The monsieur is not for turning.
Such was the Thatcherite subtext of Nicolas Sarkozy's speech on Tuesday - his first public outing since the start of the rail strikes a week ago.
Interestingly the key words were not in the original text of the speech.
In the delivered version the president added the impromptu phrase "Nous ne cederons pas, nous ne reculerons pas" - "We shall not give way, we shall not retreat" - as if in homage to the Iron Lady's example.
In fact, there has never been the least chance of Nicolas Sarkozy "turning" on this, the most symbolic of reforms.
The rail unions are protesting in defence of pension privileges which very few in the country believe are any longer defensible.
The president set out clearly in his election manifesto that he planned to reform them, and no-one can claim to be taken by surprise.
And even most of the union leaders themselves tacitly concede it is time to end the anomaly under which 500,000 people in the rail and energy sectors can retire two-and-a-half years earlier than everyone else. Is Sarkozy having his 'Thatcher' moment? (more) By Hugh Schofield
Mark Alexander
