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PROTESTS

French rail union calls for demonstrations in favour of leftist government

Amid France's ongoing political deadlock, a rail union has called for rallies across France to push for a government to be formed by the left-wing coalition Nouveau Front Populaire.

Published: 11 July 2024 09:29 CEST
French rail union calls for demonstrations in favour of leftist government
Members of the CGT Cheminots union during a protest in 2018 (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP)

In a press release sent out on Wednesday, France’s CGT Cheminots, the largest union representing railway workers, called for demonstrations across France, as well as near the Assemblée Nationale in Paris, to push for the left-wing coalition, Nouveau Front Populaire (NFP), being able to form a government.

The rallies, to take place on Thursday, July 18th, would be to encourage “respect for the result of the vote”, after the NFP won the largest share of seats in France’s snap parliamentary elections.

READ MORE: Is France facing a summer of political chaos and unrest?

The results of France’s snap parliamentary elections on Sunday have produced a deadlock – although the leftist alliance NFP won the largest share of the vote, it fell well short of a parliamentary majority.

No group won a majority and the new parliament currently is divided amongst three groups – the left-wing alliance (with the most seats), the centrists (second-most) and the far-right (in third place).

So far, a new prime minister has not yet been named.

The union has called on local chapters to organise rallies in front of local préfectures, as well as near parliament. 

“The CGT and its member organisations solemnly call on Emmanuel Macron to respect the result of the ballot boxes. There is no question of continuing his violent economic and social policies.

“The new government must be formed as quickly as possible around the programme of the Nouveau Front Populaire (…) We cannot allow our victory to be stolen”, they wrote.

The press release does not explicitly call for any work stoppages or strikes, but it is possible that some workers may walk out on July 18th. 

There have been other calls for demonstrations among the political left in France, including the former left-wing MP, Adrien Quatennens, who has pushed for a march toward the prime minister’s residence, Matignon – although party leaders disavowed his call.

The CGT union’s press release came as French President Emmanuel Macron published an open letter to the French people, in which he called on parties to continue with talks to try and build a coalition.

READ MORE: ‘Build a solid majority’: Macron addresses the French in post-election letter

In response, left-wing leaders, including head of La France Insoumise Jean-Luc Mélenchon, said the president was “refusing to recognise the result of the election”.

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FARMING

French farmers plan more roadblocks – but won’t say when

Angry French farmers are paving the way for a new set of protests including blockades and roadblocks, saying that government promises have not been fulfilled

Published: 20 September 2024 17:23 CEST
French farmers plan more roadblocks – but won’t say when

Earlier this year, France’s farmers blockaded ports, motorways and – for a short time – the world’s largest wholesale fresh produce market in protest at government and EU policies that, they said, were making their lives impossible.

They won concessions from the government. But, after a poor harvest, they say they’re seeing little improvement in their situation, and feel that promises to make farming more sustainable are not being honoured.

READ ALSO IN PICTURES: French farmers blockade Paris

Jérôme Bayle, who organised the earliest blockades, told Sud Radio on Friday that a new round of protests were in the pipeline pending a meeting with new prime minister Michel Barnier – but added: “We’re not going to give the dates, we need to create a surprise effect.”

He said: “A farmer’s job is not to spend his time blocking roads and inconveniencing people. But at the end of the day, at national level, we’re going to have to build a healthy, sustainable agriculture, with a future.”

A few days earlier, Arnaud Rousseau, president of the Fédération Nationale des Syndicats d’Exploitants Agricoles (FNSEA) told RMC, “the anger has not been answered.”

“For the past year, the change we asked for has not been forthcoming,” he said. “A number of promises made in January have not been met with the expected responses.” 

READ ALSO France seeks to placate farmers as protests flare up again

Summer 2024 has been difficult for farmers, with harvests down because of unusual weather conditions, and a health crisis affecting livestock farming. 

“This cocktail is explosive because farmers have the impression that what they had to say has not been heard,” Rousseau said.

READ ALSO ‘Pitchforks will be out’: French farmers threaten action as union calls for protests

“We were told we’d only have a single administrative control, but the transformations aren’t there. Farmers don’t feel that things have changed”.

He cites several examples, such as the aid owed to farmers, which former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal had promised to pay by March 15th. “I took stock on Wednesday in Vendée, and there are still 150 files that have not been settled. The administrative machinery hasn’t been overhauled, and the appointment we made hasn’t arrived.”

Under these conditions, farmers expect rapid action from Barnier, who is still settling into his role at Matignon. “What counts is what he will do for farmers in the coming months.”

The FNSEA has already put forward a number of proposals, and hopes that the future government will work on a bill with measures concerning agricultural pensions, the recognition of agriculture as being of major general interest, and measures to improve farmers’ incomes.

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