The government seems to be at an impasse on the pension reform, while the inter-union calls Thursday for the 11th day of mobilization. Pending the decision of the Constitutional Council on the text on April 14, “we are not going to stay in a ball in a corner of the room”, launches an adviser to the executive.
The 11th day of mobilization against the pension reform takes place on Thursday April 6, with between 600,000 and 800,000 demonstrators expected everywhere in France according to the Ministry of the Interior. The unions hope to give a boost to a mobilization that has been slightly down in recent weeks. One of their arguments is the inflexibility of the government, after the meeting of the inter-union at Matignon which came to an end: 55 minutes of round table and no progress at the exit.
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The government is almost paralyzed and seems at an impasse, and there is no question of turning around by giving up the increase in the retirement age to 64 years. This is the condition sine qua non so that the unions agree to talk about something else. There is only one way out of the rut: the decision of the Constitutional Council, in a little over a week, on Friday April 14. “It will come quickly”, is impatient a minister. Waiting for, “we are not going to stay in a ball in a corner of the room”, replies an adviser. Officially, travel has resumed and the ministers are asked to stake out: the water plan, old age, work in prison… “It’s not just pensions”said the same minister.
Marine Le Pen received at Matignon next week
Agitation or government on all fronts? The only justice of the peace will be the decision of the Elders. The government wants to find material there to legitimize its text, after the trauma of the use of 49-3. “That it is in conformity with the Constitution does not solve everything”sweeps a tenor from the left, but “Will the CFDT challenge a law that has had a democratic path?, pretends to question a pillar of the majority, it would be a break with its history”. If the opinion is positive, Emmanuel Macron will have 15 days to promulgate the law, without certainty that the social movement will die out overnight.
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The executive has one eye on the mobilization figures, which have been falling in recent weeks, but the unions are betting on the aborted meeting at Matignon on Wednesday to galvanize their troops. The other eye is on the clock: April 14 will also mark the end of the three weeks of consultations that Elisabeth Borne had given herself. The last lap will be next week since it will receive the one that is climbing in the polls as the crisis progresses, Marine Le Pen for the National Rally, then Wednesday, a large table is planned with local elected officials. “Too early to take stock” dismisses Matignon.
Nothing will change before April 14
AT On the other side of the world, in China, Emmanuel Macron seems to be ready to take things in hand, convinced that pensions will not leave traces in society. “In six years, how many times have we buried him?”, asks a relative.
Emmanuel Macron is the only one to have the cards in hand: promise to receive the unions, possible solemn address to speak to the French again, not to mention a reshuffle, a change of Prime Minister. There remains only one certainty: nothing will change before April 14 and the decision of the Constitutional Council.