For weeks, this point has crystallized tensions: the gradual postponement of the legal retirement age to 64, compared to the current 62, included in the government reform. Present in article 7 of the bill, the provision was approved last night by the senators with 201 votes in favor and 115 against.
Specifically, the elected Les Républicains (LR), who have the majority in the Luxembourg Palace, as well as those in the presidential camp voted in favor, while the left did the opposite.
“Most”
Proof of the importance of such a vote, the government came out of nowhere very quickly. With their leader in the front row. Just minutes after the adoption of Article 7, Elisabeth Borne made some gestures on Twitter.
“I am delighted that the discussions have made it possible to get to this vote.”
For his part, Labor Minister Olivier Dussopt praised on BFMTV the “responsibility” of the senators.
This senatorial sequence “offers an argument for the government that needs legitimacy,” says Matthieu Croissandeau on BFMTV. From now on, “the flagship reform measure is no longer just a decision, a whim of the executive, but a will of Parliament and therefore of the legislature”, analyzes our editorial writer.
“In short, it is no longer a matter of a few, but of a majority.”
The atmosphere is quite different from that of the National Assembly where the presidential camp had lashed out at the “obstruction” of the rebels. What it is about: exchanges that had stopped in article 2. Far from the measure on the postponement of the age of majority.
“A law, even passed, does not necessarily apply”
However, this episode “will not change anything for the protesters”, fiercely opposed to the reform project. First, this vote “does not come as a surprise” to them, since the Senate majority has been announcing the color for weeks. Above all, union leaders anticipated a possible adoption of the reform.
“For us, it’s not about giving up, even if Emmanuel Macron is stubborn,” Philippe Martínez, CGT secretary general, declared at the JDD Some days ago.
“A law, even passed, is not necessarily applied. Remember the CPE, the first job contract, which has never been applied after the great demonstrations of youth!”
“In the middle of the ford”
Subtítulo: the mobilizations could continue, even if the reform is approved. However, we are not there, but rather “in the middle of the ford”, according to Matthieu Croissandeau, who recalls that tonight’s vote “is just a stage”. In fact, the senators still have a thousand amendments and 13 articles to examine before possibly adopting the text.
And they have very little time: they must finish their debates no later than Sunday, at midnight. Then, this Wednesday, 7 senators and 7 deputies must establish the final version of the text in a mixed commission (CMP). These elected positions, which have not yet been appointed, will meet this Wednesday.
Source: BFM TV
