This morning's guest is Jean-Marc Auzanet,
who will comment on the education bill
presented by President Laugier at yesterday's press conference
as the first major project of his 5-year term.
Reinstating education certificates, continuous assessment,
4-year high school programs which include a year abroad,
a centralized educational support service...
Mr. Auzanet, how do you feel about these major changes?
I'll be very clear.
I firmly believe we are headed for bankruptcy.
It's unavoidable.
Francis Laugier will bankrupt the country.
A 40 billion euro increase to the State's education budget
is simply irresponsible.
Do you realize what he's doing?
40 billion! We are at risk...
-Yes, Amelie? -I have a press release to dictate.
I'm ready.
Mr. Auzanet has indulged in some creative calculations
concerning the Government's new education bill,
failing to provide accurate figures or logical argumentation.
The recently defeated ex-President dares
to double the cost of the education bill.
Did you get everything? Send that out.
OK.
It's impossible. We simply cannot.
Maryse, I'll call you back.
We're in danger of...
I have to go see her.
Yes, I'll go see her.
I'll go see her.
I drove all night, in the rain, thinking of you.
You did? But I didn't send you a message last night.
A message?
A text message, a telegram...
Anouk Aimée sends Trintignant
a telegram saying she loves him. That's why he shows up.
I've always found that film annoying.
I bet you prefer Godard.
-I'm going to be late. -Late? Me too.
Come with me.
I have a general assembly at school at 10.
He'll be here any second, Mehdi.
-What time is it? -Don't worry, he's coming.
Voicemail.
Laugier doesn't give a damn about vocational studies.
What's your scoop?
I have to tell you the story.
So, I go to see the Uni's Social Sciences secretary.
I get there, say hi, ask her how she is...
We chat a bit.
I butter her up and finally I ask,
"What's the undergraduate success rate for vocational students?"
She gives me this guilty look and answers,
"I don't know." So I insist.
"You have stats on undergraduate success rates."
She says yes, so I keep pressing.
"And figures on how many attended vocational high schools?"
She nods. So I say, "Then you know the vocational student success rate."
Of course.
-So what's the number? -Zero.
Zero? How is that possible?
In Social Sciences at Cergy University,
vocational students have a 0 % success rate.
Hard to believe, isn't it?
Vocational students want to attend technical institutes.
But these schools prefer general education students.
So the vocational students end up in Social Sciences.
End result: a zero success rate.
Parents and teachers are cheering while the Conservatives rage.
It's time to detail the bill, without losing coherence.
The 5 main measures must always be mentioned.
The bill's strength is its coherence.
The media are emphasizing the graduation certificate,
the year abroad,
and the free driver's license in high school.
Speaking of the media, where's the tidal wave we expected?
-Martin, you're keeping us in suspense. -Sorry.
#educationbill is the number one trend this week.
47 % of the tweeters are high school students.
Only The Hobbit did better, 3 years ago.
-Who's The Hobbit? -It's a film.
Where are they?
Mehdi and Cyril went to a meeting.
I came to see you.
-You're on the 12.37. -Is there a problem?
-How many times have you stood Cyril up? -He's too jumpy.
Whenever 2 guys start a protest, he wants me to call for a strike.
Their thing won't work.
Laugier's popularity is at 53 %, 78 % from the Left.
What can I do?
He's not making mistakes. My hands are tied.
"Untie your hands!"
A quote from Philippe Rickwaert's Complete Works.
Just meet Mehdi. That's all we ask.
The education bill is extremely ambitious.
-So, that's all we talk about? -Exactly.
Education bill, all day long.
And the guy you just stood up
started strikes in 3 high schools. Where's the logic?
The education bill will amplify a student protest.
Politics is like sumo wrestling. Use your opponent's strength.
Only a student protest can unsettle Laugier, right?
How are things with Amelie?
She's basking in Laugier's aura.
Admit she's a good First Secretary, so far.
-That wasn't my question. -So, what is?
What's up with you two? I'd like to know.
We see each other.
I'm just as surprised as you are.
Were you with her earlier? The conference is in 10 months.
How much longer do you intend to stay above the fray?
You're acting like Kalhenberg.
Act, or you'll be pushed aside.
-You want to protect Amelie... -I didn't say that!
That's not the case.
I could understand, if it was.
But think about it.
Are you a house-husband or a politician?
Madam Minister can't debate with Auzanet on Thursday.
I'll be at Parliament. We're still reviewing amendments.
Let's see... How about Amelie?
-Her communiqué was excellent. -Great.
Auzanet will debate with the First Secretary.
That'll remind him that these days, he's just a party leader.
See you later.
-It's complicated. -What's so complicated about 0 %?
They're sending us to the slaughterhouse.
Vocational students should have access to higher vocational education,
but general students are taking their spots.
-"Pro" movements are complicated. -It's simple. We want quotas.
Vocational student quotas in tech institutes.
That's still a "pro". People rally "against" something.
Against such-and-such law, such-and-such minister...
Philippe, education's a hot topic today.
-Right. -Maybe...
we should take advantage of that.
Take a look at him.
-What? -His face, his accent, his address.
Is he out of his mind?
Yesterday's meeting in Argenteuil got violent.
-You know about that? -So what?
The guys weren't students.
You're saying there's no violence in vocational schools?
-No, but... -You're not truck drivers or farmers.
One broken window and you're through. You understand?
Guys looking like you, asking for quotas...
Just like the Blacks and Arabs, wanting ethnic quotas for jobs.
That's the harsh reality.
We should shut up because people are racist?
-No... -I'm leaving.
-Wait! -Go on!
Damn you, Philippe.
-Mehdi! -He's crazy!
-Calm down. -I'm going. I'm taking the train.
-You see how he talked to me? -Come here.
You're a smart guy. He's testing you.
He's following us.
-Calm down. -Hey, Mehdi!
-Chill out. -That's enough.
-You were rude. -So what?
The education bill is a big deal for Laugier.
It's the cornerstone of his term.
Understand? So be careful and relax.
He'll refuse your quotas.
You're on the front line. You have to be strong.
I barely poked you and you exploded. What about the media?
OK, I get it.
Smile! Keep calm, stay Zen.
Get angry and you'll be seen as a thug.
-By everyone. Understand? -Chill out.
-OK. -We all know what this debate is about.
Ethnic quotas could lead to positive discrimination,
to ghettoization, Islam and ultimately to jihad.
Jihad? Give me a break. Jihad has nothing to do with this.
You have a police record?
-Do you? -Are you serious?
That's the spirit! See?
Just wondering, did you go train in Syria?
No way. The miscreants at the Turkish border didn't want me.
-Atta boy! -I didn't have a beard.
I didn't look the part. But you have a beard.
-I do. -You can go to Syria.
I'm old enough for a beard. You've got peach fuzz.
You couldn't grow a beard.
Peach fuzz!
Amelie, we have a problem.
What do you mean?
I like what we have. I don't want it to end.
I'm getting involved in a protest movement that will oppose us.
-On what? -Vocational education.
I met a great kid, Mehdi Fateni.
He's behind 3 school strikes.
He's pinpointed the education bill's blind spot.
-Does that worry you? -Of course.
It shouldn't. It's just politics.
It has nothing to do with us. The problem is Francis.
I'm left-wing and you're both right-wing.
I don't want a daily Party meeting in my kitchen.
Of course not. That's not what I mean.
Francis is President.
He holds all the keys. I don't stand a chance.
No use fighting him with my puny bare hands.
You made the right political choice. No regrets there.
-But romantically speaking... -Yes?
I don't know...
What's your romantic future with Francis?
He's from another generation.
He went through a long divorce.
He's totally useless when it comes to women.
Unlike me, right?
I'm for real.
That wasn't funny?
What's wrong?
Listen, Philippe...
I'm happy with my life.
I like running the Party. I'm at the heart of the machine.
I feel useful, necessary. It's everything I like.
I won't jeopardize that.
I understand. I totally agree.
With or without you, I'm still a politician.
It needs to stay separate.
Politics, on one side, and us, on the other.
Two separate paths. What do you say?
0 % is a disaster. We're told we can study after high school.
We believe that. Our parents are proud of us.
The merit system, the social ladder,
working harder because we don't hold the keys, we accept all this.
But the fact is, we're not even on the list.
That's why we want vocational quotas in all tech institutes.
The National Front calls it "a preference for immigrants".
Ethnic quotas.
This is France, where thankfully that sort of thing is forbidden.
Do you condemn the recent outbursts of violence?
Of course I do. In fact, I believe that
violence is the enemy of our movement.
Is that a call for peace in our high schools?
-No. -No call for peace?
Students had no part in the incidents.
I can assure you the students are pacifists.
-We're talking about delinquents. -Even so...
Honestly, am I here to discuss the strike...
ACTS OF VIOLENCE IN VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOLS
-Look what they wrote! -It wasn't students, in Argenteuil.
Who cares, Mehdi? We knew it would be tough.
That isn't real. 54 schools on strike, 27 in progress...
That's real! That's what matters.
Let's discuss vocational teaching.
At Cergy, the undergraduate success rate is 0 %,
for students with a vocational background.
Ms. Dorendeu is on in 15 minutes.
Reinstating the graduation certificate, continuous assessment,
extending high school to four years...
Mr. Auzanet, what's your view of this education bill?
I believe this project is megalomaniacal and populist.
If Mr. Laugier wants to connect with our youth,
he can do so without bankrupting us for the next 10 years.
That's a clear response. Now, joining us for this debate
Amelie Dorendeu, First Secretary of the Socialist Party.
Welcome.
-Hello, Ms. Dorendeu. -Hello, Mr. Auzanet.
Thank you for coming.
You just heard Mr. Auzanet voice his opposition to this bill.
This is a key measure in Mr. Laugier's presidency.
Could you go over the details of this education bill for us?
First, I'd like to reply to Mr. Auzanet who hasn't noticed
that the Presidential campaign and its tirades are over.
The education bill deserves a serious, well-argued debate.
-Let's focus on the next 3 meetings. -OK.
Only the Greeks and the Italians, want to take education costs
out of the debt calculation.
Not even the Portuguese.
The education bill's success will get them to agree.
-Even the Germans? -Even the Germans.
Here, watch Amelie. It'll boost your spirits.
Actually, Ms. Dorendeu, you've said it all.
I'm glad you agree.
You won't like what's next.
This education bill reflects the very core of Socialist values.
Absolutely.
You care about your side, not France.
You don't govern, you implement an ideology,
serving the interests of your electoral base.
Mr. Laugier is everyone's President.
No, he isn't President of the Republic.
He isn't President? Are you questioning the vote?
I'm not. Mr. Laugier is President.
But he's behaving like
a Socialist militant.
I'm sorry to say. You were his special advisor.
The fact that you run the Party is the indisputable proof.
Proof? Is it criminal to stick to your convictions?
To honor the promises that got you elected?
The French know they elected a Socialist,
who will govern for the greater good,
for those who have nothing.
Those whose hope lies in our public schools.
Today, we're putting our ideals to work. Those ideals
were forgotten during your interminable presidency.
You blindly and obstinately cut the resources allocated to state education.
You forgot your promises and abandoned our neediest children.
We didn't abandon anyone!
Thank you, Mr. Auzanet...
I'd like to go back to the 40 billion...
-Mr. Auzanet, it's 20 billion. -No it isn't.
-You'd say anything... -Thank you!
Time for our next guest...
Good, right?
She was good.
Yes?
You actually got our dear Laurent to crack a smile!
Seriously, congratulations. And thank you.
-Take care. -Thank you, Mr. President.
This isn't a telegram...
Hello Mr. President. Here's the file on Mehdi Fateni.
85 vocational high schools are striking against the bill.
Rickwaert will take it to the streets.
It gets worse.
You've heard Philippe's story.
Politics saved him from his terrible childhood,
his past, his demons...
What psychological bullshit! A total waste of time.
The reality is much simpler.
We have allies and enemies.
All the rest is incidental.
We've decided to keep our private and professional lives separate.
You really believe that?
I know it'll be hard.
This worries me. I don't understand you.
I promise you I'm capable of...
You do realize this is a man who lives for his hatred of me?
A man with no limits.
This is the proof.
I know which side I'm on. Yours.
A youth protest is always a threat.
Especially when Rickwaert's involved.
I said I'm on your side.
I'm warning you. Your boyfriend won't like that.
Thank you, Amelie.
The Stones of the Abbey...
Interesting?
What did you expect me to do?
What kind of photos did Francis show you?
Do we look good, at least?
You want to argue?
I think that's exactly what he wants.
I think we should do whatever we want.
Once 100 schools are on strike, we call a coordination meeting.
To make the movement democratic.
The goal is to set a date for the protest.
We need time to mobilize people. Then it's up to them.
They want to end capitalism? No problem.
Visas for illegal immigrants? Sounds good.
An end to unemployment? Fine.
November 12. Any earlier and we're screwed.
If the first protest is a success,
those who couldn't be there will want to make up for it.
The second one will be huge.
We have to nip this in the bud.
Our education bill must be protected.
There's a student coordination meeting on Sunday.
Amelie, I'll need your help.
According to my latest information,
100 delegates from across the country will attend the meeting.
What's at stake is the date of the protest.
We want it to be as soon as possible.
How is your relationship with the Young Socialists?
-Excellent. -I want them at the meeting.
They'll help set the right date.
The earlier, the better.
October 28 would be perfect.
I think it's only open to vocational students.
There aren't many among the Young Socialists.
Allow me to explain.
-Hello. -Loubna Nour.
Ibrahim Hakim, with an H.
From Poitiers. You're all set.
Sebastien Denneque.
Hi.
From Paris Montaigne.
-Isn't that a general high school? -Yes. Aren't we allowed in?
You are, but you can't vote.
You'll have observer status. It's a vocational movement.
-I understand. -Go ahead.
Hello. Noemie Vallier, from Henri IV high school in Paris.
OK.
Philippe, we have a problem. There are tons of general students.
I can see them. Rich kids. Smells like the Young Socialists.
They want the protest on October 28.
How could she do this to me? Damn it!
I told you, they're worried we'll rally support.
-They can't vote. -They'll demand to vote on the vote.
A vote on the vote?
To see who can vote.
Hang on. People are forcing their way in.
Don't let anyone else in.
It's the Young Socialists!
What are you doing?
Cyril, what's happening?
Everybody calm down!
Hey, relax!
Everybody, settle down!
Stop! We're not animals!
We're in place.
The YS is in place.
I'll have a headcount soon, but I think there's enough of them.
This is our only chance. There's no option to veto.
Only vocational students can vote.
One man, one vote! Demo-cracy!
Hey, you! Listen up!
Give me the opposition count, group by group.
10 Workers Party, 10 Anarchists, and 30 New Anti-Capitalists.
That's the swing vote. Let's convince the NAC to vote November.
Bring me their leader.
Hey, listen to me!
This way.
Philippe, this is Theo.
-What's wrong with November 12? -Nothing.
-But we're also OK with October 28. -That's the government's date.
It'll be a quiet protest that will kill the movement.
No. If we go with the 28th, it'll coincide with the protest against
the deportation of illegal immigrants.
I'll cut to the chase.
The YS wants to save the education bill.
-And I... -You're a Socialist.
The Socialist party is a degenerate bureaucratic machine
without any direction. -Enough revolutionary crap!
I couldn't care less.
do you want to defeat this government?
-It's not so simple. -Yes, it is.
All that Trotsky garbage is useless.
I'm asking you one question, just one.
Do you want to defeat this damn government?
I have to discuss with my Party.
What can we offer the anti-capitalists?
Other than collective means of production?
They launched a subscription offer for their magazine.
They need rent money.
-How much? -Around 20 000.
-Let's do it! -I'll call Riton.
Their Secretary General.
Many of us went to school with the Trotskyists.
It was a great school. Riton was a great professor.
Riton, it's Borde.
-How are you? -This is your lucky day.
-You have good news for me? -Exactly.
Silence! Please!
70, 71, 72... Thank you.
Votes for October 28, please.
-We lost. -Damn it!
That doesn't work.
They can have Denfert-Montparnasse.
The police will worry about incidents because of all the shop windows.
Let them do their job. I'll do mine.
It's time we stopped overprotecting these kids.
It started with violence. That's how it'll end.
We could limit protection to 3 riot squad companies.
3 companies for 10 000 protesters?
That's too many.
I think PSG has a game on the 28th.
What if the Interior Ministry warns the commissioner that day,
after having spotted "fight" plans on the web?
What's a "fight"?
Hooligans from both teams organize a violent clash together.
That should buy us an additional riot squad.
That's perfect.
-Mr. President, it's time to board. -Thank you.
Yeah?
I've talked to the police. Denfert-Montparnasse is our only option.
-Montparnasse? -There's some parade at Place d'Italie.
Take it or leave it.
Mehdi's out of his depth. Should I talk to him?
No. Let's not discourage him.
Did you see Liberation?
Yeah. Rickwaert, student puppeteer
-Ready to go? -Yeah.
Hi, kids.
-How's it going? -Good.
-How are you, Vero? -Good, and you? All going well?
-We're working away. -So I see. You did this?
-We got here this morning. -Why aren't the boys helping?
-They're prepping for the protest. -There's room at the table.
Don't isolate yourselves.
Vero, I need your help.
He won't let me go to Paris on Saturday.
-It's crazy. -There's a protest here.
-A "gathering". -It's important you be here.
How's the revolution coming along?
-How is my Rosa Luxembourg? -I'm OK.
I doubt Rosa's father was so conservative.
Being a Polish Jew with tuberculosis sounds fun to you?
You're such a pain.
There's a protest here too.
I don't get you.
You tell me to leave my sheltered world...
You're too young to go to Paris alone.
A whole bunch of us are going.
The more, the merrier, to mess around.
Politics isn't like nightclubbing.
OK.
Vero, can we talk?
-I'll really need your help Saturday. -OK.
We have to cancel.
Why?
It's the worst-case scenario. A peaceful protest turns into a gathering of punks.
-Is this about Salome? -No, it's not.
She's 15, she'll do as she's told.
It's about me! I'm on the frontline.
If it goes wrong, I'll be seen as an agitator.
And it will go wrong. So I'm screwed.
There will be police. What do the unions say?
They're not budging. What do you expect?
We can find some guys to beef up security.
-The Marcel Cerdan center... -There's security in numbers.
The authorities only react to mass protests.
I'm going to see Mehdi and ask him to cancel.
-What? -Your timing's off!
You got me all worked up. Now I'm part of this mess!
-Hi Amelie. -Hi Philippe.
Can we meet tomorrow?
-Did the old man ask you to call? -He doesn't even know.
Hi there.
What's up? You feel guilty about the meeting?
You should.
I'm not here to talk about my feelings or yours.
I want to talk politics.
-Two separate paths, remember? -Perfectly.
You're acting like an opponent.
This bill's the biggest reform since the Liberation.
You know I'm right. You helped write it.
-Not the current version. -I agree,
that vocational education deserves more emphasis.
I'd like to help fix the error.
How?
Through Parliament. You are an MP, aren't you?
Push through an amendment.
Play the majority game.
The majority game.
You wanted me out of the majority.
You know there will be no quotas.
But there could be ambitious measures.
-Lots of us would support this. -Francis?
Francis, Mirmont, the Parliamentary group.
Ambitious measures, huh? I'm all ears.
"Bridge" classes.
2-year programs to prepare vocational students for tech institutes.
That's very magnanimous, but... No way.
Why not?
If a kid wants to keep studying after vocational high school,
he needs 2 years of prep school first. How does he pay for it?
These kids don't have parents to foot the bill.
We have to all get behind this education bill. A unified Left is crucial.
The Germans are panicking over the cost of the bill.
Why was vocational education sacrificed?
Sacrificed? That's not fair. With the graduation certificate
and its means, working class kids
will do better in school.
There you go.
-What? -That class contempt.
You don't think they'll get past high school.
Who is "you"? The upper-middle class, you mean?
There you go again.
Upper vs. lower class? You're exasperating.
I didn't invent the class struggle. Understand this:
I love these kids.
I know their value.
I used to be one of them.
Some are bullies, but most are kids who wonder how they'll feed a family.
To others, they're just Blacks and Arabs.
But I see them as...
-Philippe? -What?
-The "bridge" classes? -You think I'm an idiot?
Laugier throws me in a corner, beats me up,
and sends you to throw me a bone.
Tell him to shove his classes up his ass!
Excuse me, sir. You must wear a tie.
I'm taking the floor in 2 minutes.
-Rickwaert is intervening. -Where is he?
I don't know.
Ladies and gentlemen, please settle down.
Please!
Ladies and gentlemen.
-Quiet! Please! -Bravo!
Ladies and gentlemen, silence, please!
The Internationale
Will unite the human race!
Order please!
We're in session.
MP Rickwaert, 13th district North, has the floor.
A question on the restructuring of the petrochemical sector
and its effects on employment.
Thank you, Mr. President. My fellow colleagues and ministers,
the rules of our esteemed Parliament dictate that we wear ties,
but they can't dictate which questions an MP may direct to the government.
Rather than question the industry minister
on the petrochemical sector,
I'd prefer to question Madam, the National Education minister...
Quiet!
on the weight of vocational studies within the education bill.
Madam Minister, the student protest is a current issue,
but have you heard a single person question
why our high schools are on strike?
No? It's an essential question.
Forget the acts of an umpteenth gang of thugs.
The vocational students' message is the essential part.
They represent 25 % of France's youth.
Yet, it's like they don't exist.
No one hears them, Madam Minister.
No, they don't exist! So I ask, where has France's honor gone?
When acts of violence become more important
than the future of 25 % of the country's youth?
Where has France's honor gone,
when safety is the only criterion that defines
the training of France's future qualified workforce?
Where has France's honor gone,
when vocational quotas are seen as ethnic quotas?
Bravo! We're there!
Where is France's honor...
when skin color takes precedence over the color of the overalls?
That's why I wear blue.
It's the color of our working class youth!
I'm in blue to defend our youth's right to vocational education!
I'm arguing in blue
to preserve France's rightful place as a great industrial power.
That's why.
That's why I'm in blue.
Mr. MP,
could you please conclude? What is your question?
Madam Minister of National Education,
will you consider establishing a quota system
for accepting vocational students in technical institutes?
I'll get this.
Mr. Prime Minister has the floor.
Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen of Parliament.
Mr. MP of the North, I thank you for
your vibrant plea in favor of vocational education.
Many of us share the goals you express with such passion.
But once you bring up quotas, our paths diverge.
You want quotas?
Quotas? No. No quotas.
There are quotas for women.
Quotas are quite simply contrary to republican principles.
People are chosen solely on merit.
Merit is what matters in this Republic.
As Prime Minister, allow me to state very clearly
that setting quotas would be a political error,
and a moral one too.
Excuse me, Mr. Prime Minister, could you repeat that?
I said your proposal is contrary to republican principles.
No, you spoke of a moral error. You're insulting our youth.
A vocational education is a moral error.
You know that's not what I said!
Take responsibility for your words.
I am taking responsibility. I believe it is a moral error to...
With a zero success rate
in undergraduate studies?
A zero success rate!
We'll see on Saturday how France's youth answers back!
It'll be massive.
-Excuse me? -The protest!
They're no longer fighting "for something"
but "against someone".
That idiot Mirmont gave them an ideal target.
What a moron!
We'll have to increase the security.
We have to be seen as doing the absolute maximum.
Mr. Rickwaert!
Are you asking our youth to protest?
Will you join the protest?
Mr. MP, why are you wearing blue?
Mirmont, if only you knew
Your moral error Your moral error
Mirmont, if only you knew
Where we'll stick your moral error
Up your ass! Up your ass!
We won't hesitate!
No, no, no! We don't want your lousy reform!
Mirmont, brace yourself We're on our way!
THE BLACK BARON The Student Whisperer