French Unions Plan Nationwide Strikes, Protests September 18 Amid Political Crisis

French trade unions, led by the CFDT and its leader Marylise Leon, have called for nationwide strikes and protests on September 18 to oppose Prime Minister Francois Bayrou's unpopular budget plans for 2026. This call to action follows planned demonstrations on September 10 and a crucial confidence vote in Parliament on September 8, which is expected to topple Bayrou's minority government amid intensifying political turmoil. The unions have strongly condemned the proposed budget as a "house of horrors" and are mobilizing to prevent its adoption. Opposition parties are united in their intention to bring down the government, and business leaders warn that the ongoing crisis poses significant risks to the French economy. The scale and timing of the protests recall the 2018 Yellow Vest movement, highlighting widespread public discontent with economic reforms. These events underscore a growing wave of dissent and uncertainty in France's political landscape.