Between 1.12 and 2 million people demonstrated this Thursday in France against the pension reform presented by the Executive. A first successful mobilization of the unions and leftist parties, which are planning other actions very soon.
The magnitude of the discontent puts the government in a position that could seem delicate. But for now, Macronie unanimously does not bat an eyelash. “We have to stand firm. It would be deadly to let him go now,” a top government adviser told BFMTV.
The passage of Cape Horn
The goal: do nothing until the text is officially presented. “We will not move before the parliamentary debates. Before, it is useless. The concession measures would not allow us to stop the mobilization,” a deputy abounds in this regard.
No reaction or change of course before January 30 at least, when the deputies will begin to examine the reform in commission. And surely nothing before February 6, the day the text arrives in the Chamber of the Assembly. 50 days of parliamentary debates will follow.
“Pension reform is like going around Cape Horn. There are 50 days of voyage, then either the ship passes or it breaks ”, launches a minister.
Waiting for the right moment to pull out the concessions
But in order not to capsize, the executive and the majority are still imagining, behind the scenes, the points on which the reform could be amended. For example, on the minimum pension of 1,200 euros gross that could become net or on the “employment of the elderly” index, which could be more coercive.
Another option is the long-career system which could be harmonized so that some are not required to contribute for 44 years instead of 43. The government now wants to find the right time to possibly make these concessions. For now, it is urgent to wait.
The executive under pressure
“No hurry. There is no massive renewables strike. The slow strike is good news for us”, acknowledges a representative of the Renaissance.
Unlike the last mobilization at the end of 2019-beginning of 2020, the unions have opted for the “jump mobilization”. Next event date: January 31. Until then, the reform project should not move a comma.
However, this Thursday’s day does not go unnoticed either. Whether they are ministers, councilors or elected members of the majority, everyone agrees: this first day of mobilization was a success. “The unions have succeeded in their commitment,” says a member of the executive.
“Put more pressure,” admits a deputy.
“The mobilization is important, it is undeniable, it is useless to deny things,” Labor Minister Olivier Dussopt acknowledged in the same direction on Thursday afternoon on BFMTV.
Source: BFM TV
