French Unions Leave Talks Disappointed as Macron Calls for Firmness

French unions left a meeting with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu disappointed Wednesday, saying no measures were announced to address ongoing protests, three days before a new day of mobilization by "gilets jaunes" activists and youth. CGT leader Sophie Binet said there was "no consideration of our demands" after the 2.5-hour session. Unions confirmed participation in Saturday's "act II" protests over the cost of living, while their central focus remains a Nov. 5 strike call for private and public sector workers. CFDT leader Marylise Léon stressed the need for social responses to workers' expectations. President Emmanuel Macron, traveling in Qatar, called for "firmness" against violence and summoned intelligence services Thursday to review failures during Oct. 17 riots. Criticism mounted from political figures, including François Hollande calling the government "weak" and the president "absent," while Macron defended his Gulf trip as yielding benefits on diesel prices. Authorities extended curfews in Marseille and Toulouse, and 557 people remain in custody after Paris violence, with prosecutors reporting no political motives among those charged.