French unions will hold another day of strike and protests on October 2 to put pressure on new Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu over their demands to scrap his predecessor’s austerity fiscal programme, union leaders said. The announcement follows unsuccessful talks between union representatives and the prime minister, leaving tensions high as the government struggles to address workers’ demands and a growing budget crisis.

UNION DISSATISFACTION GROWS AFTER TALKS WITH LECORNU

Union leaders who met with Lecornu on Wednesday said they were not satisfied by his response to their last day of protest, attended by hundreds of thousands of people on September 18. “The prime minister did not provide any clear answers to the workers’ demands, so for the unions, it’s a missed opportunity. It doesn’t add up,” said Marylise Leon, the head of CFDT, France’s largest union.

CALLS FOR INCREASED MOBILISATION BY UNION LEADERS

“There was a big turnout on September 18, and we need to step it up again on October 2,” said Sophie Binet, of the CGT union, describing Wednesday’s meeting as a missed opportunity where Lecornu made no clear commitment. Binet’s comments reflect a growing sense amongst union leaders that further action is required to make their voices heard.

PM FACES CHALLENGES FORMING GOVERNMENT

Just over two weeks after President Emmanuel Macron appointed Lecornu as his fifth prime minister in less than two years, the 39-year-old loyalist has yet to pull together a government or a draft budget for 2026. He must also navigate a divided parliament and rising pressure to stabilise France’s finances amid concerns from both the public and investors.

BUDGET DEBATE INTENSIFIES

The prime minister and Macron are under pressure on one side from protesters and left-wing parties opposed to budget cuts and, on the other, from investors concerned about the deficit. None of parliament’s three main groups has a majority. France’s budget deficit last year was close to double the EU’s 3% ceiling. Lecornu will face a battle to gather parliamentary support for a budget for 2026. His predecessor, Francois Bayrou, was ousted by parliament on September 8 over his plan for a 44 billion euro budget squeeze. Lecornu has not yet said what he will do with Bayrou’s plans.

– Ends

Tune In