Will the union mobilization against the pension reform this Thursday, January 19, be a success? “It will be successful,” says Olivier Besancenot. Invited to the set of BFMTV on the eve of this great social movement, the former candidate of the Revolutionary Communist League for the presidential elections and spokesperson for the NPA sees Thursday “as a stage”.
More than 200 demonstrations are organized throughout France at the request of the unions and hundreds of thousands of people are expected to mobilize against the government project, which contains in particular the postponement of the legal retirement age to 64 years.
“What counts is the number, it is the most massive mobilization possible,” says Olivier Besancenot. But the ex-candidate of the extreme left warns: “It will take a sequel.”
“Everyone can act”
“We cannot systematically depend on others. A ‘power strike’ like the one in 1995 will not work,” warns Olivier Besancenot, who recalls that “everyone can act” through strikes and demonstrations, but also symbolically showing support to movement.
January 19 “is a step to gain confidence, and I think it will be successful,” says the former presidential candidate. “The problem is the rest! On Saturday there is a demonstration of youth organizations, so the problem is that of a strategy to implement”, continues Olivier Besancenot.
“We cannot afford to be dispersed, neither in time nor in space,” he launches on the BFMTV set.
“We must act fast, many and many, to be effective and show the strength of the world! When and how? It is not for me to say, I have no religion in the matter”, concludes the former presidential candidate.
A few days ago on BFMTV, Olivier Besancenot had proposed the establishment of “two or three days of strike” in a row. For the moment, the unions have only called for an important day of national mobilization this Thursday, January 19.
In some sectors, particularly energy, strike notices have already been submitted for February 6, the start date of the examination of the text in the chamber of the National Assembly.
Source: BFM TV
