Politics
FRENCH NATIONWIDE STRIKE & PROTEST WENT CALMLY & SMOOTHLY
500,000 UP TO 1 MILLION PEOPLE
USPA NEWS -
September 18, 2025, France experienced nationwide protests and strikes against proposed budget cuts, organized by a broad inter-union coalition. Unlike the chaotic demonstrations of September 10, this mobilization was largely peaceful, calm, and under the careful coordination of the unions, with very limited incidents of violence or sabotage. According to the Ministry of the Interior, the number of participants ranged between 500,000 and 600,000, while union leaders, including Sophie Binet, the leader of CGT, claimed the turnout could have reached one million. Sophie Binet declared: “The anger is immense, and so is the determination. My message to Mr. Lecornu today is this: it’s the streets that must decide the budget.”
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu responded to the demonstrations by reaffirming his commitment to dialogue with all social partners, stating, “The demands voiced by the representatives of the trade unions and echoed by demonstrators in the marches are central to the consultations that I have undertaken. I will once again meet with the union forces in the coming days. Furthermore, I firmly condemn the acts of violence against law enforcement and emergency personnel.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu responded to the demonstrations by reaffirming his commitment to dialogue with all social partners, stating, “The demands voiced by the representatives of the trade unions and echoed by demonstrators in the marches are central to the consultations that I have undertaken. I will once again meet with the union forces in the coming days. Furthermore, I firmly condemn the acts of violence against law enforcement and emergency personnel.
FRANCE IN TURMOIL: OVER ONE MILLION PROTEST AGAINST BUDGET CUTS & NEW TAXES
On september 18, 2025, France experienced nationwide protests and strikes against proposed budget cuts, organized by a broad inter-union coalition. Unlike the chaotic demonstrations of September 10, this mobilization was largely peaceful, calm, and under the careful coordination of the unions, with very limited incidents of violence or sabotage. According to the Ministry of the Interior, the number of participants ranged between 500,000 and 600,000, while union leaders, including Sophie Binet, the leader of CGT, claimed the turnout could have reached one million. Sophie Binet declared: “The anger is immense, and so is the determination. My message to Mr. Lecornu today is this: it’s the streets that must decide the budget.”
On september 18, 2025, France experienced nationwide protests and strikes against proposed budget cuts, organized by a broad inter-union coalition. Unlike the chaotic demonstrations of September 10, this mobilization was largely peaceful, calm, and under the careful coordination of the unions, with very limited incidents of violence or sabotage. According to the Ministry of the Interior, the number of participants ranged between 500,000 and 600,000, while union leaders, including Sophie Binet, the leader of CGT, claimed the turnout could have reached one million. Sophie Binet declared: “The anger is immense, and so is the determination. My message to Mr. Lecornu today is this: it’s the streets that must decide the budget.”
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu responded to the demonstrations by reaffirming his commitment to dialogue with all social partners, stating, “The demands voiced by the representatives of the trade unions and echoed by demonstrators in the marches are central to the consultations that I have undertaken. I will once again meet with the union forces in the coming days. Furthermore, I firmly condemn the acts of violence against law enforcement and emergency personnel, firefighters, gendarmes, and police officers, as well as the damage caused today across French territory.”
Meanwhile, President Emmanuel Macron is preparing to deliver a landmark speech at the United Nations General Assembly on September 22, during which France will officially recognize the State of Palestine marking a significant diplomatic gesture in support of peace in the near and middle East...
“FRANCE WAS NOT BLOCKED” INTERIOR MINISTER BRUNO RETAILEAU SAID
Bruno Retailleau praised the professionalism of security forces and emphasized that “France was not brought to a standstill,” despite some radical elements attempting to escalate the protests. He confirmed the strong police deployment and responded to several acts of unrest, assuring the public that authorities would “unblock everything and act immediately in case of violence.
Bruno Retailleau praised the professionalism of security forces and emphasized that “France was not brought to a standstill,” despite some radical elements attempting to escalate the protests. He confirmed the strong police deployment and responded to several acts of unrest, assuring the public that authorities would “unblock everything and act immediately in case of violence.
CHIEF OF UNION LEADER SOPHIE BINET UNDERLINED HOW THE PEOPLE ARE ANGRY AND DETERMINED
Sophie Binet, leader of CGT, declared: “The anger is immense, and so is the determination. My message to Mr. Lecornu today is this: it’s the streets that must decide the budget”. She also rejected the severit of the governemnt's measures targeting the working class and the poor, versus the rich class who deserve to be taxed more (Zuckman Tax, 2% of the fortune fro those possessing over 100 Million Euros Assets, and committed unions to ongoing mobilization until the New Prime Minister Lecornu's concessions are really made.
Sophie Binet, leader of CGT, declared: “The anger is immense, and so is the determination. My message to Mr. Lecornu today is this: it’s the streets that must decide the budget”. She also rejected the severit of the governemnt's measures targeting the working class and the poor, versus the rich class who deserve to be taxed more (Zuckman Tax, 2% of the fortune fro those possessing over 100 Million Euros Assets, and committed unions to ongoing mobilization until the New Prime Minister Lecornu's concessions are really made.
PRIME MNISTER'S RESPOSNE TO TRADE UNIOSN AFTER 18 SEPTMBER'S PROTESTS
Here is the full Statement from Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Hôtel de Matignon, September 18, 2025
“Following the call to demonstrate from trade union organizations this Thursday, September 18, I wish to reaffirm my commitment to maintain dialogue with all social partners. The demands voiced by the representatives of the trade unions and echoed by demonstrators in the marches are central to the consultations that I have undertaken. I will once again meet with the union forces in the coming days.
Furthermore, I firmly condemn the acts of violence against law enforcement and emergency personnel firefighters, gendarmes, and police officers – as well as the damage caused today across French territory.
I extend my thanks to all security personnel for their dedication to serving the French people and for maintaining order, in accordance with our republican values.
I strongly reiterate: violence is not a legitimate means of political action, and no one should excuse it. There can be no freedom to protest without respect for the law.” Source: Office of the Prime Minister
Here is the full Statement from Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Hôtel de Matignon, September 18, 2025
“Following the call to demonstrate from trade union organizations this Thursday, September 18, I wish to reaffirm my commitment to maintain dialogue with all social partners. The demands voiced by the representatives of the trade unions and echoed by demonstrators in the marches are central to the consultations that I have undertaken. I will once again meet with the union forces in the coming days.
Furthermore, I firmly condemn the acts of violence against law enforcement and emergency personnel firefighters, gendarmes, and police officers – as well as the damage caused today across French territory.
I extend my thanks to all security personnel for their dedication to serving the French people and for maintaining order, in accordance with our republican values.
I strongly reiterate: violence is not a legitimate means of political action, and no one should excuse it. There can be no freedom to protest without respect for the law.” Source: Office of the Prime Minister
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