VETERAN trade union leader Jean-Claude Mailly warned yesterday that ongoing conflict between the French government and the unions could turn into a national confrontation over President Emmanuel Macron’s economic programme.

Unions are currently holding two-day strikes every week for three months over the government’s European Union-dictated marketisation and compulsory tendering policies for the SNCF state railway company.

Unlike last year’s piecemeal fight against Mr Macron’s liberalisation plans, union opposition is increasingly aligning, said the Force Ouvriere leader in Paris.