Chirac bids to quell French jobs crisis

President Jacques Chirac sought to defuse one of the biggest crises of his 11-year presidency by offering to soften a new type of job contract that has sparked furious protests because it would make firings easier.

But Chirac’s proposals to make the contract more palatable only appeared to redouble the determination of union and student leaders who had called on him to withdraw and not simply adjust the measure designed for workers aged under 26.