CFDT Critiques French Government's 2026 Budget Proposal as Unjust
The CFDT union has criticized the 2026 budget proposal by the French government, calling it unjust and a burden on workers.
Key Points
- • Marylise Léon criticizes the 2026 budget as unjust and unacceptable for workers.
- • The budget includes 43.8 billion euros in savings, affecting social benefits and pensions.
- • Léon emphasizes the need for equitable sharing of budget cuts.
- • The CFDT is considering mobilization actions but has yet to engage in talks with the government.
Marylise Léon, Secretary General of the CFDT union, has voiced strong opposition to the French government’s proposed budget for 2026, which she deems unfair and unacceptable for workers. Speaking on France Inter on July 17, 2025, Léon expressed concern over the government's plan, unveiled by Prime Minister François Bayrou, which includes substantial budget cuts totaling 43.8 billion euros. These savings are expected to be realized through measures such as freezing social benefits and pensions and reducing the number of civil servants.
Léon asserted that the burden of these budget cuts is disproportionately falling on the working class, arguing that the measures lack equitable distribution across society. "It is essential that efforts are shared," she stated, calling the current proposals profoundly unjust. This critique is set against the backdrop of an ongoing economic crisis in France, which Léon acknowledged, emphasizing the urgent need for a budget that not only addresses immediate financial necessities but also facilitates future investments, particularly in areas like ecological transition and social welfare.
In a detail that might further fuel discontent, the government’s budget proposal includes a controversial adjustment to the tax allowances for retirees, reducing it to €2,000. Léon remarked that this figure is insufficient and highlighted the need for wealthier individuals to contribute more. Although the CFDT is currently open to discussions about the budget, Léon has yet to initiate talks with the government.
Looking ahead, Léon indicated that the CFDT may contemplate mobilization actions as early as late August or September, though she remains cautious about directly calling for a general strike. This approach indicates the union's strategy of balancing dialogue with potential protest, highlighting the complexity of the situation for the CFDT as they navigate their role in advocating for workers' rights amid significant government cuts.