French diplomats go on first strike in 20 years

French diplomats went on strike on Thursday for the first time in 20 years in protest at a perceived lack of recognition, fewer means, and reforms pushed by President Emmanuel Macron that they say could hurt France’s global standing.

Hundreds of diplomatic staff at home and abroad, including some ambassadors, took part in the action, which young foreign ministry civil servants had pushed. Many posted on social media to show support, using the hashtag #Diplo2metier (professional diplomat).

“Defending the interests of France and serving France is not improvised,” France’s Consul General in San Francisco wrote on Twitter. “No doubt we need to reform and strengthen our diplomacy, but not to erase it,” said the diplomat of 18 years.

The strike comes at a bad time for Macron, re-elected in April, who has sought to play a leading role in the European Union’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. France holds the EU’s revolving presidency until the end of June.

Strikers are protesting against public sector reforms initiated by Macron that would change the structure of diplomatic careers. But they are also concerned about years of budget cuts that have seen staffing fall some 20% since 2007.

“There is a fatigue in the face of continuing pressure from the international and European news, which means we are always being asked to do more when we have fewer means,” said a senior diplomat in Paris.

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