The CGT is calling on the French to demonstrate in Paris and throughout France this Thursday, July 18, to put pressure on Emmanuel Macron and force him to “respect the vote of the French.”
The head of state is giving himself time and has chosen to keep the current government to “manage current affairs”. Another choice is not to respect the Constitution, by letting the resigning ministers become full members of parliament. This absurd situation, which can give the impression that the results of the legislative elections do not move any line at the top of the State, is causing the opposition, but also trade union and political organizations to react.
It is also to push Emmanuel Macron to appoint a government of the New Popular Front, which came out on top in the polls on 7 July, that the CGT is calling for a demonstration this Thursday 18 July. “We believe that it is time for the President of the Republic to acknowledge the results of the polls and to respect the vote of the French people,” believes Thierry Nier, general secretary of the CGT Cheminots, who initiated the call for mobilisation.
“We are at a crucial moment and we know that there are a certain number of temptations, notably by Emmanuel Macron, to act as if the vote had not taken place and to have a technical government that is an extension of his policy,” explains the general secretary of the CGT, Sophie Binet, a few hours before the first gatherings on BFMTVon July 18. According to her, two messages were sent by the French: that of a “block to the extreme right” and that of a “sanction towards Emmanuel Macron with a demand for a change in social policy.”
With the demonstrations of July 18, the CGT is campaigning for the future government to act on “change in economic and social policies” by repealing the pension reform, increasing wages and investing in public services, among other things. But the union is also taking sides on the political direction of the executive: it wants a “government from the New Popular Front” to be appointed and is demanding that Emmanuel Macron choose the Prime Minister proposed by the left.
Source: CGT. Find more information on the calls for demonstrations on www.cgt.fr.
A demonstration in front of the National Assembly in Paris
The CGT supports the initiative of the CGT Cheminots, which was the first to call on French men and women to meet on July 18 at 12 noon near the National Assembly in Paris and near the prefectures for those not living in Paris. The objective is clear: “to put the National Assembly under popular pressure” can be read in a communicated July 15. The union has also chosen the date of July 18 to strengthen its mobilization, because this Thursday the deputies elect the president of the National Assembly.
Dozens of demonstrations throughout France
In addition to Paris, demonstrations are being organized all over France, at the initiative of unions, associations and also political parties. “80 rallies are planned for July 18 as part of the call from the railway workers’ federation,” indicates the CGT. In Brest and Quimper, several unions and the PCF are calling for demonstrations, as well as in Saint-Etienne and Nice and Marseille. The unions Union Etudiante and Union syndicale lycéenne are also calling for a rally “against the presidential coup”. Already on Sunday July 14, the National Day was marked by several rallies, such as in Paris and Lyon.
The inter-union CGT, FSU, FO and Solidaires of Loire-Atlantique is calling for mobilization on Thursday, July 18 in front of the Nantes prefecture at 6 p.m. “Our organizations, through a new gathering this Thursday, July 18 at 6 p.m. in front of the prefecture in Nantes, intend to put popular pressure,” indicates the CGT Loire-Atlantique in the face of an Emmanuel Macron who “denies the balance of power in the National Assembly resulting from the vote.”
The revolt against the “strategy of chaos”
“The president must stop this strategy of chaos and finally appoint a government that listens to our social demands,” also declared Sophie Binet, general secretary of the CGT, present at the Avignon festival on July 13, when 200 people demonstrated against the extreme right. At the same time, the CGT of mines and energy called for getting closer to these “popular mobilizations.”
The CGT spectacle union has also called for people to join the gatherings being organised throughout France on 18 July. “The popular and civic uprising must not stop but, on the contrary, continue in these demonstrations!”, we can read on X.