CGT: Sophie Binet overwhelmingly re-elected as head of the union for a second term

Three years after taking the helm of the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), Sophie Binet was re-elected on Friday. Meeting in congress, the Montreuil-based union granted her a new three-year term. The sole candidate for the position, she received broad support from delegates, confirming her strong position at the head of France's second-largest union.

This re-election contrasts sharply with the tense context of her arrival in 2023. At the time, the Clermont-Ferrand congress was marked by deep internal divisions and several days of heated debate before her candidacy emerged. Since then, Sophie Binet has focused on restoring the organization's unity and easing tensions between the various factions within the CGT.

A report endorsed by a large majority

The delegates overwhelmingly approved the actions taken by the outgoing leadership team. The activity report presented at the congress received over 81% of the votes, demonstrating strong support for the strategy implemented over the past three years. The leadership particularly emphasized its central role in opposing the pension reform, one of the major social movements of the five-year presidential term.

The CGT believes it played a decisive role in several national mobilizations and claims to have helped slow down or modify several government projects. The union cites in particular the debates surrounding unemployment insurance, public broadcasting, and certain budgetary measures planned for 2026, including the elimination of public holidays and the increase in medical deductibles.

A now indispensable figure in French trade unionism

The first woman to lead the CGT since the union's creation in 1895, Sophie Binet established herself as one of the leading voices of the French social movement. Her style, combining firmness on demands with a willingness to engage in dialogue with other unions, allowed her to gain visibility with the general public.

Under his leadership, the CGT also sought to strengthen its presence on issues such as gender equality, working conditions, environmental challenges, and the precarious situation of young workers. This diversification of the topics addressed aims to broaden the union's reach in a rapidly changing world of work.

New challenges for the next three years

Despite this comfortable re-election, several challenges await the general secretary. The CGT must continue its efforts to stem the erosion of trade unionism in France, strengthen its presence in certain private sectors, and maintain its influence in the face of changes in the labor market.

Upcoming social and political events could also place the union at the heart of new power dynamics with the government and employers. With this new mandate, Sophie Binet intends to pursue the strategy initiated in 2023, focusing on collective mobilization and uniting employees around key social demands.