Unions cold to Sarkozy, rioting continues

8220;Mr Sarkozy has been elected. But I don8217;t think that you can consider that there is a general agreement over his programme or that he has the the legitimacy to do just anything,8221; Bernard Thibault, secretary general of the main CGT General Confederation of Labourunion, told the paper Le Monde.

After winning the election run-off against Socialist Royal on Sunday, Sarkozy left for a two-day retreat near Malta aboard the luxury yacht of a billionaire friend, provoking ridicule and anger among Opposition parties.

He returned to Paris overnight looking suntanned and relaxed, and appeared alongside Chirac on Thursday at a ceremony in central Paris to commemorate the victims of slavery. Sarkozy waved to the crowds but said nothing.

On Wednesday, hundreds of policemen faced off against rioters chanting 8220;Sarkozy fascist, the people will have your hide!8221; just around the corner from where Thursday8217;s ceremony took place.

Attackers torched nearly 200 cars overnight across France, police said. This was the fourth consecutive night of unrest after Sarkozy8217;s victory. A total of 198 cars were set alight from Wednesday to Thursday, while 29 people were detained.

University authorities also shut down a site in Paris that was occupied overnight by students who said plans to give varsities more autonomy and introduce some selection in student admissions amounted to 8220;hidden privatisation8221;.

The students voted on Thursday to end their action. Protests may now be put on hold until Sarkozy tries to enact his presidential pledges.