French Union Calls for Strikes Ahead of Paris Olympics Amid Political Deadlock

With just 15 days before the Olympic Games in Paris, Sophie Binet, a leader of a major French union, called for mass strikes to pressure President Emmanuel Macron into respecting recent legislative election results and allowing a leftist coalition to form a new government.

With just 15 days remaining before the start of the Olympic Games in Paris, Sophie Binet, a key leader of a major French union, called for mass strikes on Thursday. The aim is to pressure President Emmanuel Macron into respecting the results of recent legislative elections and allowing a leftist coalition to form a new government.

France has been teetering on the edge of governmental paralysis following Sunday's National Assembly vote, which resulted in a split legislature among three main political groups: the New Popular Front leftist coalition, Macron’s centrist allies, and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally. The New Popular Front won the most seats but failed to secure an outright majority.

In an interview with broadcaster France Inter, Binet said that without respecting the election results, Macron risks plunging the country into chaos. She called for popular pressure on the government, including rallies, to ensure the election results are respected. Macron has asked Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to continue managing day-to-day affairs while urging political parties to build a “Republican” majority before deciding on a new prime minister. The National Assembly's inaugural session is set for July 18.