The first anniversary of Nicolas Sarkozy’s presidential victory was marked not by diplomatic pomp or ceremony, but by a massive wave of strikes and demonstrations that have shaken French society.

Sarkozy came to power promising to “modernise France”, to remove the social gains of the past and to eradicate the legacy of 1968. However the legacy of ’68 lives on - recently the streets of French cities have been filled with chanting voices, tear gas and marching feet.

On 15 May, school students joined 300,000 striking education and public sector workers marching against plans to cut 11,200 education jobs this year (the long term aim is 80,000). Throughout May, fishermen caused mssive disruption, blockading roads and ports over the rising cost of fuel. Around Marseille, fuel depots were blocked and fishermen clashed with riot police. The Port of Calais was virtually shut down causing major traffic jams and tailbacks on both sides of the English channel and disrupting ferry sailings.

As if that wasn’t bad enough for "Sarko", 22 May saw 700,000 public sector workers take to the streets in 153 cities and towns against attacks on pension rights in what was effectively a 24 hour stoppage. Under the proposals. The government plans to increase the number of years workers need to work before they are entitled to a state pension from 40 to 41 years.

Dockworkers took strike action against plans to privatise loading facilities while only half of trains were operational. Railworkers, civil servants and postal workers were joined by workers from the private sector, from telecoms, aviation construction and the retail sector. Radio shows were cancelled forcing radio stations to play continuous music.

Sarkozy was the man the ruling class chose to take on the French working class. He was to introduce sweeping counter-reforms, smashing the gains won by workers in the past – social security, free education, pensions, labour laws, working hours and open up the public sector to privatisation – thereby defending and extending the profits of the French capitalist class.

Instead, it is clear Sarkozy’s honeymoon is over. His approval ratings - at 39% - are the lowest ever for a president in his first year in office. He has been forced to retreat on plans to scrap the 35-hour week and to offer e320 billion aid package to fishermen. Divisions have opened up in his own party and between him and his Prime Minister Fillon. Unemployment is still one of the highest in Europe at 7.8% and economic growth in 2007 was just 1.7%.

The worsening economic situation with a rising cost of living hasn’t stopped Sarkozy and the employers from granting themselves massive wage rises. While workers are told to work longer and to do without the social services of the past, bosses at the big French corporations gave themselves average wage rises of 40%. Sarkozy gave himself a rise of 170%!

It was against this background that local elections took place in March which resulted in a rejection of Sarkozy’s policies and a growth in votes for the so-called plural left (Socialist Party (PS), Communist Party and the Greens). But this was no ringing endorsement or approval of the PS, who have followed Sarkozy all the way. They have accepted Sarkozy’s argument that the present pension system is unsustainable and have voted for his reforms. The last two proposals from ministers’ commissions on competitiveness and education were supervised by two PS leaders!

The ruling class are determined to make the working class pay as their profits are undermined by the decline in the world economy. Whilst Sarkozy has been forced to partially retreat, the government are intent on implementing their attacks. In the face of this, determined action is needed to force the ruling class back. CGT trade union leader Bernard Thibault has promised, “unless the government changes its mind, there will be more days like this one.” But workers can only rely on their own action to defeat the government.

The absence of a political alternative is a major barrier in defeating the attacks of the bosses and a new political voice is needed urgently. The local elections did show a jump in support for far-left parties. The Ligue Communiste Revolutionaire (LCR) won more than 70 seats and got up to 15% of the vote in some cities. The LCR (headed by Olivier Besancenot – who won 1.5 million votes in the presidential elections) have now begun to call for a new anti-capitalist party. This would be a welcome step forward and Gauche Revolutionaire (CWI France) supports this initiative.

However, this party needs to connect with the real struggles of workers and oppose all attacks on wages and conditions. Remembering the legacy of 1968 doesn’t mean repeating the same mistakes. Therefore this new party needs to adopt a clear socialist programme as the only way to defend and extend the living standards of workers.