French Unions Mobilize Against Government Austerity Amid Pension Reform Debate

A major inter-union mobilization is planned across France on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, as trade unions unite to oppose government austerity policies and demand decisive changes to public spending and pension reforms. The CGT, FSU, Solidaires, CNT, and Coordination étudiants have called for a national strike and protests scheduled in towns like Chambéry and Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, with rallies set to begin at 5:30 PM and 6 PM respectively.

The demonstrations aim to exert pressure on the government as the French Parliament reviews the 2026 budget. Kévin Dos Santos, Secretary General of CGT Savoie, stated emphatically, “In Savoie, as elsewhere, we refuse to bear the government's austerity policies. It is not the most vulnerable who should pay for the crisis.” The inter-union coalition is demanding salary increases, more funding for public services, enforcement of gender pay equality, the implementation of a "minimum tax on the ultra-rich," and the repeal of the controversial pension reform.

Meanwhile, political discourse remains tense around the pension reform. Elisabeth Borne, former Prime Minister and deputy of Renaissance in Calvados, has voiced her opposition to suspending the reform, which she deems necessary despite the army of opposition. She emphasized that "there are no simple solutions" to balance the retirement system and advocated for those capable to work longer periods. Borne also lamented missed opportunities to improve the reform, citing failed negotiations with unions like the CFDT concerning hardship-related adjustments.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has agreed to suspend the reform until 2028, following socialists' demands, but Borne’s stance reflects internal government divides. Regarding the 2026 budget, Borne indicated her party's willingness to reach compromises but firmly rejected increased deficits, emphasizing the public's preference for a functional budget over procedural disputes on its legislative passage (such as the use of article 49.3).

This unfolding conflict underscores the acute tensions surrounding France's economic direction and social policies, with unions mobilizing strongly against austerity while policymakers debate reform and fiscal responsibility. The full impact of the upcoming strikes and demonstrations on government decisions remains to be seen as the budget review proceeds in Parliament.