04/04/2006 (Agence Europe) - Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the leader of the European Parliament Socialist group, German MEP Martin Schultz, expressed his support for French strikers and opponents of the First Employment Contract (CPE). “We believe that the strike against the CPE - which is completely absurd - is totally justified,” said Mr Schultz, adding, “This new law will not create a single new job, it will weigh heavy on young people and workers in general”. He said that what gave food for thought was “the reaction of President Chirac and his Prime Minister de Villepin, a reaction which showed that the political elite was not in touch with the people”. He concluded, “The anger of the people responds to the reaction of the current government which is dictated only by tactical and strategic interests”.