the CGT adopts the strategy of blocking

Philippe Martinez has been surveying the pickets and television sets for several days, defending the blockages. And for good reason: despite the wait, motorists are not grumbling about the strike. “We have the impression that the French have a sympathetic view of the strike. The ingredients are there for the movement to take”, declares a CGT executive. A majority leader says he understands the CGT, “who is right to push his advantage”.

The boss of the CGT still rejects the proposal for a 7% increase in TotalEnergies. A line that is too hard for some reformist unions, when others see it as the proximity of the CGT congress in a few months, where Philip Martinez will be expected at the turn. An executive from a competing union even explains that he “is trapped by its toughest federations”

The movement could extend to other sectors, and leftist policies are already picking it up. The government does not seem to fear a new movement like that of the yellow vests. According to someone close to the president, “the French don’t mind that”.