(Paris) Galvanized by the success of their first mobilization against the pension reform, the unions are calling for new massive demonstrations on Tuesday, but the Prime Minister was firm on Sunday on the postponement of the retirement age which is not “more negotiable”.
“It is no longer negotiable, retirement at 64 and the acceleration [de l’allongement de la durée de cotisation] of the Touraine reform, ”said Elisabeth Borne on franceinfo.
While the reform has been heavily criticized for its impact on women, it is on the other hand open to a discussion on better use of the “education” and “maternity” quarters obtained during their careers.
The firmness displayed by Mme Terminal on age measurements, which the executive had never departed from, caused the opposition to jump.
From her stronghold of Hénin-Beaumont (Pas-de-Calais), the patron saint of deputies RN Marine Le Pen warned the Prime Minister who “should not go too far, because, gone as it is gone , it is not at all impossible that his pension reform will not be voted on”.
“If you do not want the country to be blocked, the small government minority must renounce this reform,” argued LFI coordinator Manuel Bompard.
Communist leader Fabien Roussel likened his statements to a “provocation 48 hours from the demonstration”.
On Tuesday, the eight main French unions are hoping for a mass effect to overcome an “unfair reform”.
After their feat of January 19 (1.12 million demonstrators according to Beauvau, more than two million according to the organizers), they called “to mobilize even more massively on the 31st”. A hope reinforced by polls attesting to a growing rejection in public opinion.
“Review clause”
“The population is very unfavorable to the project and this opinion tends to gain momentum”, also notes the number one of the CFDT, Laurent Berger.
PHOTO BENOIT TESSIER, REUTERS
Demonstrators opposed to the pension reform in the streets of Paris, January 21.
In response to this growing distrust, the majority is trying to call public opinion to witness. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin castigated the left, which wants to “maroon” the country, but spared the unions. His counterpart at Bercy Bruno Le Maire focused on the deficits.
“If we are at least responsible, I think that the reform is inevitable”, put forward the leader of the Modem, François Bayrou. Like Elisabeth Borne, however, he opened the door to a “review clause” of the reform.
The government’s educational work on this reform will continue Thursday evening with the Prime Minister, invited on France 2, two days after the 2e day of union mobilization where more than 200 rallies are planned.
In Paris, the course must end at the Invalides, very close to the National Assembly, where the examination of the bill will begin Monday in committee.
Repeated strikes
More than 7,000 amendments have been tabled, mainly by the left, which intends to prolong the debates, while the right seeks to raise the stakes, aware that its votes will be crucial to adopt the reform. The government must also deal with its own majority, where many are calling for improvements and some are reluctant to vote for the text.
On Tuesday, disruptions are expected in public transport, in particular at SNCF and RATP. Transport Minister Clément Beaune warned on Sunday of a “difficult, even very difficult day”, inviting those who can to telework.
Closings of classes, even schools, are also to be expected.
But the continuation of the movement remains uncertain. On the side of the CGT, some federations are pushing for a hardening. New strikes have already been announced in ports, refineries and power stations from February 6.
Among the railway workers, it will be 7 and 8, a prelude to a renewable notice “from mid-February”, warned the CGT and SUD.
On the side of the CFDT, which prefers to “keep public opinion” on its side, Mr. Berger believes that “one or two additional demonstrations of force” will be enough to make the executive listen to reason. It remains to convince the other union leaders, who will meet Tuesday evening at the headquarters of FO.