Despite the extent of the mobilization against the pension reform, the executive does not intend to react or modify its text before its arrival in the National Assembly.
Between 1.12 and 2 million people demonstrated this Thursday in France against the pension reform presented by the executive. A first successful mobilization for the unions and left-wing parties, which are planning other actions very soon.
The extent of the discontent places the government in a position that could seem delicate. But for now, Macronie, unanimously, does not move an eyelash. “We have to remain firm. It would be deadly to let go now,” a leading government adviser told BFMTV.
The passage of Cape Horn
The objective: to 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 to stop the mobilization”, abounds in this sense a deputy.
No reaction or change of course before at least January 30, when the deputies will begin examining the reform in committee. And even surely nothing before February 6, the day of the arrival of the text in the hemicycle of the Assembly. 50 days of parliamentary debates will follow.
“The pension reform is like going around Cape Horn. It’s 50 days of crossing, then either the boat passes or it breaks” launches a minister.
Waiting for the right moment to draw the concessions
But in order not to capsize, the executive and the majority still imagine, behind the scenes, the points on which the reform could be amended. For example, on the minimum pension at 1200 euros gross which could become net or on the “employment of seniors” index which could be more coercive.
Another option is the long career system which could be harmonized so that some are not obliged to contribute for 44 years instead of 43. The government now wants to find the right time to possibly draw these concessions. For now, it is urgent to wait.
The executive under pressure
“We are in no hurry. There is no massive renewable strike. The go-slow strike is good news for us” recognizes a Renaissance deputy.
Unlike the last mobilization at the end of 2019-beginning of 2020, the unions have indeed chosen the “leapfrog mobilization”. Next event date: January 31. Until then, the reform project should not move a comma.
However, the day of this Thursday 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 bet”, notes a member of the executive.
“It puts more pressure,” admits a deputy.
“The mobilization is important, it is undeniable, it is useless to deny things”, recognized in the same direction the Minister of Labor Olivier Dussopt in the evening of Thursday on BFMTV.
