November 2007 strikes in France November 2007 strikes in France The 2007 strikes in France were a series of general strikes, mostly in the public sector, which started on 13 November 2007. The strike was over President Nicolas Sarkozy's and Prime Minister François Fillon's attempt to reduce early retirement benefits for 500,000 public employees. Sarkozy had stated that pension reform is the first in a series of measures designed to roll back protections for trade unions in France, and both unions and Sarkozy saw the pension strikes as a key political test. France's national labour law permits workers in certain hazardous or difficult professions to
President of France receive a car with chauffeur, and the personnel in their living space were cut as well. Additionally, the number of assistants available for their use has been reduced, but a state flat or house remains available for former Presidents. Train tickets are also available if the trip is justified by the office of the former President. The security personnel around former Presidents remained unchanged. The most recent president to die was François Mitterrand (served 1981–1995) on 8 January 1996, aged 79. President of France The President of the French Republic (, ) is the executive head of state of France