Nationwide strike looms in France: Could September 18 mark crisis for Macron?

New Delhi,UPDATED: Sep 18, 2025 03:11 IST

Another no-confidence vote, another prime minister, and the same political turmoil story, but this time it appears that France’s Macron’s escape en route looks almost impossible. A country with significant economic power in the European Union is losing its strong ground, and the rising political crisis is plunging the nation deeper into instability.

It all started after the sixth Prime Minister of France, under Macron, Franois Bayrou, was ousted after he called for a high-risk confidence vote in the Parliament on Monday. Bayrou was defeated decisively. Out of 573 voters, 364 voted against him, and merely 194 backed him. Bayrou brought a proposal to slash soaring debt. France’s deficit is nearly double the European Union limit. According to several reports, debt stands at 114% of the GDP. Bayrou suggested saving 44 billion euros ($51.51billion) through measures like scrapping national holidays and freezing welfare payments, which sparked outrage across the political spectrum. The left and the far right united to bring him down.

France is staring at a ballooning debt crisis. The grave doubts are around whether Macron’s 7th prime minister, Sbastien Lecornu, will prove any more successful than Bayrou. Will Lecornue be able to pass the 2026 budget? And that too, without triggering another no-confidence vote? Amid all this, there is one man in the centre of the chaos, who is blamed for making France look increasingly ungovernable – President Emmanuel Macron.

SEPTEMBER 18 NATIONWIDE STRIKE, WHAT TO EXPECT?

At the heart of the September 18 showdown is the draft 2026 budget and unrest in the government. The appointment of Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornue by Macron is seen as a way to dodge snap elections. Critics say that Lecornue’s appointment shows that Macron has learnt nothing; instead of reaching out to the opposition, the French President has doubled down with another loyalist.

Now, all eyes are on the September 18 union-led strike. What’s expected, let’s look at it:

1) Rail lines, metro systems, buses, and even some of the air networks could grind to a halt as France gears up for September 18 strikes by unions and political parties. Authorities are bracing for strained transport systems, roadblocks, and massive protests, according to Euro News.

2) After meeting with Lecornu on Monday, the hardline CGT union asserted that they are more determined than ever before. While assuming office, the newly appointed Prime Minister promised "substantive changes" would be made, and held talks with most unions over the last weeks. However, union chiefs are standing firm with their decision to mobilise on September 18.

3) Workers from across sectors, including rail transport, education, and healthcare, are expected to join France’s left-wing parties in the movement. Officials are anticipating that around 400,000 people will demonstrate across the nation.

4) Air travel may also be affected despite France’s ATC union having postponed its planned strikes until early October. Smaller unions like FO, CFDT, and CGT are planning to hit the streets.

5) According to several reports, union leaders are aiming to surpass the "block everything" movement that took place on September 10. CGST union leaders, who have widely condemned the plans to scrap two public holidays, have asserted that they "want a million people with them." Meanwhile, Paris transport is expected to face major disruption as its four biggest unions are calling for a strike. The Autonomous Operator of Parisian Transports (RATP) has advised passengers to continue working from home or postpone travel if possible.

6) The French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) has asserted that it will keep posting updates in the day leading up to the strike.

7) Besides transport, other sectors will be hit as well, including healthcare, according to Euro News. Pharmacies are expected to be closed in large numbers.

OPPOSITION DEMANDS MACRON'S OUSTER, IS PRESIDENT AT RISK?

President Macron, who is squarely in the cross-hairs of public fire, has received no respite from the far-right and left’s wrath, even when he tries to hold centre. During a high-voltage drama in Parliament, the Socialist Party’s parliamentary leader took a sharp dig at the French President, blaming him for the raging crisis: "There is only one person responsible for the crisis, for the fiasco and instability, it’s the president of the republic." Another parliamentary head of the far-left France Unbowed party, Mathilde Panot, asserted: "The president doesn’t want to change his policies? Well, we’ll have to change the president."

On Sunday in Bordeaux, Macron’s key rival and far-right leader, Marine Le Pen, lashed out at the sitting French President for bringing the country to the verge of chaos. While speaking to the crowd, Pen was keen on showing that her party has stood by voters, and will continue to speak against what she calls “institutional paralysis” under Macron.

Her fiery speech came as the newly appointed 7th Prime Minister, Sbastien Lecornu, under Macron, is reported to launch critical talks with the outgoing centre-right coalition and others to pass the 2026 budget, a big task that lies ahead of him.

If Lecornu secures consensus on the 2026 budget in the divided Parliament, he can sidestep another no-confidence vote and prevent Macron’s premature exit.

- Ends

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