French trade unions have announced a nationwide day of action, including protests and strikes, scheduled for September 18, 2025. This mobilization is a direct response to the government's proposed fiscal measures for the 2026 budget, which unions describe as excessively harsh.
The planned actions occur against a backdrop of a deepening political crisis, with Prime Minister François Bayrou's minority government facing a critical confidence vote on September 8. The core of the dispute centers on the government's plan to implement a €44 billion budget squeeze, aimed at curbing France's mounting public debt. This austerity package includes measures such as freezing spending increases and eliminating two public holidays. These proposals have generated widespread opposition from trade unions and various political parties.
Marylise Leon, the leader of the CFDT, one of France's largest unions, has strongly condemned the draft budget, calling it a "house of horrors" and emphasizing the unions' determination to block its implementation due to its "unprecedented brutality." The CGT union, represented by Sophie Binet, also supports the protests, advocating for tax justice, increased funding for public services, wage increases, and the repeal of pension reforms.
Prime Minister Bayrou's decision to call for a confidence vote on September 8 is seen as a high-stakes gamble, as his minority government lacks sufficient seats in the National Assembly to guarantee the budget's passage without significant opposition support. Political analysts anticipate that Bayrou is unlikely to win the vote, potentially leading to his resignation and that of his government, which could trigger the appointment of a new prime minister or snap elections.
The situation is further complicated by France's persistent public deficit, which is projected to remain above the European Union's 3% ceiling, and a debt-to-GDP ratio expected to exceed 120% by 2029. The union-led actions are not isolated; an earlier nationwide shutdown has been called for September 10 by the anti-government campaign "Bloquons tout" (Let's block everything), with support from left-wing factions, and the CGT union has pledged to support this movement by organizing strikes.
These planned actions draw comparisons to the 2018 "Yellow Vest" movement, a period of social unrest that began with protests against fuel tax increases but evolved into broader anti-government sentiment. While the "Yellow Vest" movement was characterized by its grassroots nature, the current union-led actions are more organized, with clear objectives. The economic implications of this political and social unrest are a growing concern for business leaders, as prolonged political instability could further burden the French economy, which is already facing a projected growth of only 0.8% for the current year.