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.
EXIGEONS LE RESPECT DES URNES ! #progressocial @cgtcheminots @lacgtcommunique pic.twitter.com/XMiyH1Fnhs
— CGT Cheminots (@cgtcheminots) July 10, 2024
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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