Wednesday September 24, at 10 a.m., Sébastien Lecornu will receive the eight main trade union organizations at Matignon for an unprecedented meeting. Friday, the day after the mobilization of September 18, the inter-union (CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC, Unsa, FSU and Solidaires) sent an ultimatum to the new Prime Minister, demanding responses to his social and budgetary demands.
The unions are demanding the abandonment of the draft budget presented this summer by François Bayrou: elimination of 3,000 civil servant positions, doubling of medical deductibles, “white year” for certain low-income households, reform of unemployment insurance, but also any calling into question of May 1st. They also reiterate their firm opposition to raising the legal retirement age to 64.
Lecornu, who had already met most of the union leaders bilaterally upon his appointment, opted this time for a rare configuration: a collective meeting including all the confederations, representative or not, without parallel convening of the employers. A strong gesture seen as a desire for dialogue, even if the unions warn that “the account is not there”. Julie Ferrua (Solidaires) warns that in the absence of measures “significant to social and fiscal justice”a new day of strike and demonstrations will be decided. If François Hommeril (CFE-CGC) greets a “new fact” and an opportunity to clarify the government’s intentions, the inter-union expects concrete commitments. For everyone, Wednesday’s meeting will be decisive: either it opens a breach in social protest, or it will restart the standoff in the streets.
2 – Start of the trial of Claire Geronimi’s attacker
The trial of the man who attacked Claire Geronimi, founder of the Éclats de femmes association and now vice-president of the UDR, will open this Wednesday, September 24 at 8 a.m. before the Paris Court of Appeal. This Central African national, under several obligations to leave French territory (OQTF), is on trial for aggravated rape at gunpoint, committed on November 11, 2023. Three days of hearing (September 24-26) which will go beyond the simple judicial framework: for the young woman, it is a collective fight for the safety and dignity of women.
In an interview given to JDNewsClaire Geronimi says to herself “fighter”even if the ordeal of seeing his attacker again will be difficult. She denounces the slowness of justice, recalling that her attacker had admitted the facts and that he already had a long history of violence, ignored by the authorities. She is awaiting an exemplary sanction – twenty years in prison – recalling that there are two victims, herself and Mathilde, raped an hour before her. The two young women, now united, will face the audience together.
Although she regrets the lack of support from part of the feminist movement, Claire Geronimi wishes to continue to testify publicly to encourage other victims to file complaints. For her, this trial is an essential step in order to turn the page and continue her fight.
3 – Start of Kamala Harris’ tour for the presentation of her book “107 Days”
Kamala Harris to kick off book release tour 107 Daystomorrow, at an event at Town Hall with Barnes & Noble in New York. The former vice-president of the United States looks back on the shortest presidential campaign in modern history, which she recounts with an intimate and personal perspective. ” To write 107 Days made me feel like I was reliving the countryside in reverse, rewinding every moment. Behind every speech, every handshake, there were deeper thoughts and lessons learned. This book is not a summary of the race, but the frank account of my journey »she confides.
The first woman to hold the American vice-presidency (2021-2025), Harris has a career-long commitment to civil rights, penal reform and social justice. A former prosecutor in San Francisco and then attorney general of California, she fought transnational gangs, sued banks and defended the Affordable Care Act. Known for her decisive role in the Senate with a record number of decided votes, she was also involved in defending the environment. Last year, after running for president in place of President Joe Biden, the Democrat suffered a scathing defeat against Donald Trump.
4 – First day of Europa League
Wednesday September 24 marks the start of the Europa League group stage, with nine matches on the program, including the entry of OGC Nice against AS Roma. For the Aiglons, this first day already promises to be a test of truth after a worrying start to the season: nine goals conceded in five days of Ligue 1 and a heavy defeat at Brest (4-1). Last year, Nice finished 35th out of 36 in the competition and wants to erase this fiasco at all costs. “Given this journey, we are keen to do much better”confided Sofiane Diop on Saturday.
But according to the TeamFranck Haise’s men still lack certainties, particularly in defense. The Mendy-Bah-Oppong trio, launched for lack of anything better, shows its limits, while Dante (41 years old) remains essential to stabilize the rearguard. Absent in Brest, his return as well as that of Moïse Bombito, recently recovered, could offer more solidity. AS Roma, an opponent of a completely different caliber, therefore presents itself as a major challenge for a Gym still under construction.
5 – The good news of the day
Ousmane Dembélé made history by winning the 2024-2025 Ballon d’or ahead of Lamine Yamal and Vitinha, becoming the sixth Frenchman crowned this Monday, September 22. On the stage of the Châtelet theater, the PSG striker, upset, delivered a vibrant speech. He praised an exceptional season punctuated by numerous titles with Paris and expressed his pride in receiving the trophy from the hands of Ronaldinho.
Dembélé warmly thanked PSG, describing Nasser Al-Khelaïfi and Luis Enrique as “dads”as well as his teammates, whom he considers to be the true architects of this success. He has not forgotten his previous clubs — Rennes, Dortmund and Barcelona — nor the legends he learned from. The strongest moment was when he spoke of his family and loved ones, constant support in the face of hurts and doubts. Overwhelmed by emotion, he burst into tears before concluding by thanking his agent and his best friend, a faithful companion on his journey.
