French Unions Call Nationwide Strikes Over Budget Cuts

French labor unions have called for nationwide strikes on September 18 to protest a proposed government budget that aims to save 44 billion euros to reduce public debt. The Confédération Française Démocratique du Travail described the draft budget as a horror show and characterized the proposed budgetary measures as unprecedented in their brutality.

François Bayrou, the Prime Minister of France, has scheduled a confidence vote for September 8. A loss in this vote would force the resignation of his government. Amidst this instability, Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure has claimed the left is prepared to form a new government to manage national debt without impacting the working class.

Labor unrest is further complicated by a citizen-led Let's block everything campaign, which organized a separate nationwide shutdown for September 10. The Confédération Générale du Travail and Solidaires unions support this blockade, while the CFDT has declined to participate. Sophie Binet, head of the CGT, has demanded wage increases, the repeal of pension reforms, and increased funding for public services.

President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to serve out the remainder of his term despite the political deadlock and the threat of government collapse.