The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Paris

Paris' subways slowed to a halt and rail lines were disrupted Thursday during a massive strike in France that was expected to give President Nicolas Sarkozy his first real test after five months in office. Unions are protesting Sarkozy's plan to trim special retirement packages for some workers, part of his pledges to cut back on costly public services. The strikes began late Wednesday and were to last through Thursday. The first mass-scale problems for travelers and commuters were expected at Thursday morning rush hour. Paris transport authority RATP said traffic would be "virtually nil" on most of its lines. The national rail network said it would be "nearly paralyzed." Eurostar trains to London and connections to neighboring European countries were also to be disrupted. With commuters relying on their cars, bottlenecks were expected as early as 5:30 a.m. on major routes into Paris, the national road information service said. Sarkozy is facing a number of challenges simultaneously as the economy lags, despite his pledges to invigorate it, and signs of discord arise within his own party over the president's policies.