To de-dramatize. After the publication of figures from the Ministry of the Interior announcing the presence in the streets of 1.12 million protesters against the pension reform, the Government does not want to overreact.
“This mobilization was expected and it is not a surprise”, thus advances a minister to BFMTV.
“Without consequences” of the strong mobilization
The united front of the unions – for the first time in 12 years – clearly knew very well with a points system, the police had counted 800,000 people in the streets for the first day of the strike.
“We do not draw any consequences from exceeding these figures,” even a member of the executive relativizes.
However, the mobilization figures may worry the government, which had a relative attitude of waiting on the part of the French. If they largely oppose the reform, a large majority of French people (68%) believe that this reform will be voted on and applied, according to an Ifop survey.
“Keep Convincing”
But the message of a reform judged unfair by both RN and Nupes as a whole seems to have borne fruit. What pushes the executive to want to go up a gear to try to recover the French.
“This mobilization tells us that we must continue explaining and convincing that this reform is fair and essential,” a ministerial adviser wants to believe.
Emmanuel Macron also called his lieutenants “not to be techno but to be masters.” For this, the deputies who are familiar with the reform even offer training to their colleagues who feel less comfortable with this text.
Insists on “the project better than at the beginning”
With an element that the Government should insist on: the events of recent weeks.
“The President of the Government is convinced that the reform project is better than the initial one, because it was the result of discussions and consultations,” deciphers a ministerial collaborator.
The presidential program thus marked the course for the reduction of the retirement age to 65 years and it is finally the 64 years that were maintained. The Government continues to consider that it has balanced its project by taking parental leave into account in the calculation of future pensions or even having improved the system for long careers.
“It is premature to talk about blockade”
Although the CFDT announced this Thursday at the end of the day that a next mobilization will take place on January 31 throughout France, the executive also makes sure to smooth things over with the social partners.
“It is premature to talk about a blockade. I will leave the choice to the unions,” a minister still advances.
Elisabeth Borne herself made sure to smooth things over on her Twitter account, hailing “the commitment of the unions” who “allowed the demonstrations to take place under good conditions.” For his part, Emmanuel Macron, on a trip to Barcelona, considered “good and legitimate that all opinions can be expressed.”
Source: BFM TV
