CGT intervention

The CGT, one of the largest union confederations in France, has asked voters not to re-elect Nicolas Sarkozy as French president in next month’s elections.

In an interview last month, the CGT’s general secretary, Bernard Thibault, said that it was not just Sarkozy’s “political orientation” but his “personal action” that explained the confederation’s call. Thibault said that it is “the fact that everything depends on the good will of the Elysée [the presidential palace] that has blocked progress”.

Although the CGT has opposed much of Sarkozy’s policy, the intervention is unusual. It is the first time since 1988 that the CGT has taken such a clear position in an election.