France: Bayrou supporting compulsory civic service for young

The main candidates for the Presidency elections are finally submitting this week their own programme. The outsider Bayrou calls for a civic youth involvement. Some polls put François Bayrou, leader of the French centrist UDF party, on 12 per cent of the total votes for the next presidential elections. While the former Education minister is calling for the drafting of a new constitutional treaty for the EU, he tries also to promote the civic European service by enlarging its application to the French framework. The Chirac?s original proposal is still on the table, but only Bayrou is pushing it. On last sunday, Ségolène Royal for the labour party did not say a word about such an idea, mostly rejected by young people. Youngsters do want real jobs, and are not attracted, generally speaking, by doing some free voluntary activities. The overall objective of the Bayrou move on this subject is to try to reconcile in an other way people?solidarity and citizens? engagement for breaking down the level of insecurity, largely felt by French population. His budget programme is allowing some 3,1 billions to such a scheme to reinforce youth personal skills as well as their commitment to society. www.bayrou.fr