Written by: Associated Press
1 min readParisOct 23, 2010 04:08 AM IST
First published on: Oct 23, 2010 at 04:08 AM IST
Shoving striking oil workers aside,French riot police forced a strategic refinery to reopen on Friday,aiming to halt growing fuel shortages.
The refinery at Grandpuits had been a bastion of resistance to President Nicolas Sarkozys bid to raise the retirement age to 62. Despite the governments efforts to conquer union resistance,the Prime Minister said it will take several more days to end gasoline shortages that are taking a toll on Frances economy.
The French Senate neared the end of a debate that has taken more than 130 hours,the second-longest debate in 30 years in the Senate. Legislators submitted a staggering 1,237 amendments,but Sarkozys conservative UMP party and its allies have a majority and dismissed nearly all amendments.
After Fridays Senate vote,the final text goes back to both houses for final approval,which is expected next week.
Helmeted officers in body armour descended overnight on Grandpuits,confronting workers who shouted union slogans as they sought to keep police from opening the gates to the depot,run by oil giant Total SA.
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