The general secretary of the CGT union, Sophie Binet, called on the government Saturday to address the growing social discontent, stating that "winter is going to be rough" if the government doesn't take into account the difficulties faced by the French people. Speaking on France Inter radio, she specifically denounced the rise in fuel prices in an international context marked by the war in the Middle East.
The union leader described the 2027 budget proposal presented Thursday by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu as "dangerous ." She acknowledged the difficulties linked to the international situation, but believes they do not justify the austerity measures planned by the government. The proposal notably includes a freeze on the civil service pay index in 2027.
The CGT is calling for a mobilization on September 29th
Sophie Binet also criticized the impact of budget cuts on public services, specifically mentioning the resources allocated to firefighters and the number of hospital beds. She believes that the economic hardship is particularly affecting workers who are facing rising living expenses, especially for food and transportation.
The general secretary of the CGT union advocates for increased revenue rather than cuts in public spending. She has also called for a "day of action" on September 29th, the date on which a strike has been called in the public sector. These statements come as the government continues its consultations on the 2027 budget before its presentation to Parliament.
