On September 7, many CGT activists will be in the streets. The second largest union in France is certainly not calling for the demonstration launched by youth movements and part of the left to denounce the attitude of Emmanuel Macron who refused to appoint the candidate of the New Popular Front (NFP), Lucie Castets, to Matignon. But it believes that this action “will allow the world of work to mobilize within a civic framework to denounce the coup” of the Head of State. By making such a position public on Wednesday, August 28, the confederation of employees expressed a form of goodwill towards the approach of the forces concerned, including La France Insoumise (LFI), while taking care not to place itself in their wake. “each to their own role”as Sophie Binet, the secretary general of the central body, declared on Franceinfo on Thursday.
Shortly after Mr Macron ruled out the option of a government on Monday evening “on the basis of the program and the parties alone [du NFP] »LFI had urged political parties, unions and associations “to join” to the mobilization of September 7. On Wednesday, late afternoon, the CGT responded by adopting a middle path. It does not formally invite its members to participate in the demonstration but hopes that it will be successful. A way of preserving its independence while showing that it is, like the left, revolted by the behavior of the President of the Republic, “which continues to increase the crisis of the regime that he himself provoked”according to M’s formulame Binet. This orientation is not entirely surprising on the part of an organization which had called for “vote for the program” of the NFP, during the early legislative elections.
The CGT is also keen to take action, but on the ground “social issues” – and not “institutions”She calls for pounding the pavement and stopping work on the 1ster October, with a long list of grievances: repeal of the pension reform, increase in salaries and pensions, etc.
“What matters to us is that there is a government”
The FSU also takes a favorable view of the September 7 demonstration. “Our thinking is not completely settled, confides its general secretary, Benoît Teste. But it is good that this action has been initiated. We hope that it will attract people.” Solidaires, for its part, has not yet brought together its bodies but its co-general delegate, Murielle Guilbert, explains: “We are not demonstrating, a priori, for this or that personality to be appointed to the post of Prime Minister.” However, she points out, “Macron’s attitude is very worrying with regard to the democratic respect of the vote expressed”. “The responsibility of the President of the Republic is immense in the situation of vacancy of the executive which is damaging our democracy”continues Laurent Escure, secretary general of the UNSA, but his organization will not be marching on September 7 either.
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