FRENCH communists welcomed today’s election of Sophie Binet as the general secretary of the left-wing General Confederation of Labour (CGT).

She is the first woman to lead the left-wing union federation in its 128-year history.

Ms Binet, a former school supervisor and general secretary of the General Union of Engineers, Executives and Technicians who was responsible for equality issues on the CGT executive, was a surprise compromise candidate for the post.

Outgoing general secretary Philippe Martinez favoured Marie Buisson, while the other candidate, Celine Verzeletti, enjoyed considerable support across the CGT.

However, Ms Binet’s name emerged following lengthy overnight discussions after Ms Buisson failed to gather enough votes on the federation’s executive committee.

Addressing the CGT congress in Clermont-Ferrand, Ms Binet said to Mr Martinez: “I would like to tell you that you managed to bring a woman to the head of the CGT for the first time and I know that it was particularly close to your heart.”

Laurent Brun, of the CGT-Cheminots, which represents railway workers, was elected as Ms Binet’s deputy.

French Communist Party general secretary Fabien Roussel tweeted: “I extend my congratulations to Sophie Binet and the team around her for her election at the head of CGT.

“United and on the offensive, the trade union world is an incomparable force.”

Ms Binet takes charge as French unions continue their opposition to President Emmanuel Macron’s attack on pension rights.

The CGT, France’s second-largest union federation, has formed a united front with the others in a bid to block the government’s plan to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64.

The unions have organised several days of nationwide strikes and massive protests since January, when the unpopular proposal was first put forward by Mr Macron.

The unions have received an invitation from Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne to discuss the plan next week.