French PM's talks with unions collapse as CGT calls for strikes

Summary

Talks between French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and union leaders over fresh protests collapsed on Wednesday, October 21. RFI reported that Lecornu had planned to meet unions to discuss security after vowing a "massive" police deployment at protests, following riots in the past week that led to curfews and arrests. The Straits Times and The Hindu reported that he was to meet representatives of five unions that morning, and The Hindu said the meeting was to discuss "ways and means to guarantee the essential freedom to demonstrate." France 24 reported that Sophie Binet, secretary general of the hardline CGT union, told reporters after the meeting that the government offered "no measure nor have they taken our demands into account," and that the CGT leader then called for strikes. France 24 also said the country was reeling from last weekend's riots.

Timeline

1. France 24

   21 Oct 2026, 00:45 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that the CGT leader called for strikes after talks with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu over fresh protests collapsed, quoting Sophie Binet saying the government offered "no measure nor have they taken our demands into account."

2. RFI

   21 Oct 2026, 02:57 UTCSource ↗

   RFI reports that Prime Minister Lecornu planned to meet unions to discuss security after vowing a "massive" police deployment at protests, following riots in the past week that led to curfews and arrests.

3. The Straits Times

   21 Oct 2026, 04:11 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that Sébastien Lecornu was to meet representatives of five unions on the morning of October 21 as the government prepared for more protests.

4. The Hindu

   21 Oct 2026, 04:35 UTCSource ↗

   The Hindu reports that Sébastien Lecornu was to meet representatives of five unions on the morning of October 21 to discuss "ways and means to guarantee the essential freedom to demonstrate," according to a letter sent to the organisations.

5. France 24

   21 Oct 2026, 13:30 UTCSource ↗

   France 24's replay report says the CGT leader called for strikes after meeting Prime Minister Lecornu, quoting Sophie Binet saying the government offered "no measure or an acknowledgement of our demands."