Overview

• In France on Sept. 18, unions led a nationwide strike against the 2026 budget plan, disrupting rail services, closing many schools and pharmacies, and shutting major sites such as the Eiffel Tower.
• Paris saw clashes at the end of the main march, with authorities reporting hundreds of arrests and injuries after a large security deployment that included armoured vehicles and drones.
• Union leaders gave Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu an ultimatum to respond to their demands by Sept. 24, warning they will set a new day of strikes and protests if he does not.
• In Italy, CGIL’s Sept. 19 solidarity actions for Gaza excluded services covered by law 146, focusing on sectors like logistics, heavy transport and some ports, with local demonstrations across the country.
• Base unions have called a 24‑hour national strike for Sept. 22 that is expected to affect public transport, schools, universities and ports, with guaranteed rush-hour bands, as CGIL’s Maurizio Landini urges the government to halt arms supplies to Israel.