Peugeot closure poses challenge to Hollande

President François Hollande’s new socialist government faced its first big industrial crisis in July 2012 as PSA Peugeot Citroën announced the first closure of a big car plant in France for 20 years and took the axe to 6,500 jobs.

Trade Union reaction was uncompromising, describing the announcement as a 'declaration of war' and an 'earthquake', with the hardline stance certain to add to the problems facing the new Socialist government.

French Minister for Industrial Renewal Arnaud Montebourg slammed the large-scale job cuts by Peugeot Citroën on the 18 July 2012. President François Hollande had earlier said that Peugeot's plan was 'unacceptable'.

ESO: Background information: Peugeot backs call for EU common policy http://www.europeansources.info/record/peugeot-backs-call-for-eu-common-policy/

BBC News, 12.7.12: Peugeot Citroen plans 8,000 job cuts http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18808662

France24, 12.7.12: In act of 'war', Peugeot to close Paris factory http://www.france24.com/en/20120712-france-auto-group-peugeot-citroen-to-close-paris-factory-cut-8000-jobs

The Local.fr, 12.7.12: Peugeot Citroen job cuts spark union fury http://www.thelocal.fr/3738/20120712/

France24, 14.7.12: Hollande vows action on economy on Bastille day http://www.france24.com/en/20120714-france-francois-hollande-bastille-day-economy-employment-valerie-trierweiler

Le Figaro / Libération, 13.7.12: Peugeot-Citroen: “Made in France” under strain (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief/2345981-peugeot-citroen-made-france-under-strain

France24, 19.7.12: French government attacks Peugeot job cuts http://www.france24.com/en/20120719-french-government-attacks-psa-peugeot-citroen-job-cuts-hollande-car-industry-montebourg

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