Paris police ready for cost of living protest as fuel strike drags on – Expat Guide to France

Left-wing forces opposing the government of President Emmanuel Macron have organized demonstrations to protest the government’s inaction on climate change.

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the left-wing political party France Amboud (LFI), had planned the march long before the current strike, but organizers have regained momentum from the current industrial unrest. I hope that

“Price increases are intolerable,” said LFI deputy Manon Aubry. “This is the biggest loss of purchasing power in his 40 years.”

It’s time to hand over the billions of dollars that big corporations have made profitable to people who are struggling to make ends meet, she added.

Police expect about 30,000 people to attend, and one source said they fear trouble from the far-left troublemakers. “Organizers have been warned of these concerns,” the source said.

– Further Protest –

Disputes at French refineries and fuel depots have forced many petrol stations to close, with ripple effects across all sectors of the economy.

Government figures released on Saturday to French broadcaster BFMTV showed 27.3% of petrol stations were short of at least one product, rising to 39.9% in the Paris area.

Four of France’s seven refineries and one fuel depot are still functioning after striking members of the far-left CGT union rejected salary offers from hydrocarbon industry leaders accepted by other unions. not.

They are furious that Macron’s government used its requisition rights this week to force some strikers to open fuel depots.

But unions risk stirring up resentment in a country where three-quarters of workers rely on their cars for work. Public support for the strike was just 37%, according to his BVA poll released Friday.

CGT is pushing for a 10% pay hike for TotalEnergies staff, which dates back to the beginning of the year.

The French group cited a $5.7 billion net profit for TotalEnergies in the April-June period, as well as billions of euros in dividends to shareholders, as the war in Ukraine sent energy prices soaring. And the French group claims they can afford it.

The union has extended strike actions that began on Sept. 26 through Tuesday, and has also called for a broader strike, including on public transportation nationwide.

The CGT pulled out of talks with the French group last week, even as other trade unions representing a majority of workers accepted smaller wage-raise deals.

Prime Minister Elisabeth Born is scheduled to appear on primetime television on Sunday night to discuss the petrol shortage.

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