In Germany, where the retirement age is gradually being raised to 67 by 2029, the press has extensively reported on the pension crisis in France. What impresses most is the strong mobilization against the reform.
The national mobilization against the pension reform in France fascinates the German media. Unheard of for a long time, believes the Suddeutsche Zeitung which tells the story of the blockages: stations, refineries, service stations, shopping centers paralyzed and garbage cans burning at night… The DPA agency summarizes the situation in its own way: “a government on the ground, the population on the barricades”.
>> “In Paris, it’s the Middle Ages, the stench and the hordes of rats”: how the Russian media talk about the mobilizations against the pension reform
For the Tagesspiegel Emmanuel Macron embodies a powerful sovereign who imposes his will like the Sun King on a people who fight for their freedoms and privileges. “Why are the demonstrations so violent in France? Why is there nothing like this in Germany?” asks the WDR. Answers from a political scientist: the reasons are multiple, cultural, and above all, confrontation is in the DNA of the French.
A difficult governance ahead
The press also highlights the combativeness of Emmanuel Macron, who remained determined, despite the mobilization and criticism. After years spent managing crises, the Covid, the war in Ukraine, inflation, the head of state resumes his baton as an intrepid reformer, analyzes the Spiegel. Emmanuel Macron’s popularity rating may be at its lowest since the “yellow vests” crisis, he ignores criticism, notes the Tagesspiegel. A daily notes that Emmanuel Macron does not fear conflicts and that he does not have to worry about his re-election, only his political heritage.
The German media, however, predict complicated months ahead for Emmanuel Macron and the government. For the Spiegel, “Emmanuel Macron is at the head of a country more divided than ever” while the Suddeutsche Zeitung predicts that it will be difficult to govern France in the months to come.
“France has been in crisis since Emmanuel Macron pushed through his unpopular pension reform without a parliamentary vote. The president wants to move on to other issues – the citizens won’t let him.” (Tweets from Der SpiegelMarch 22).
Seit Emmanuel Macron seine unbeliebte Rentenreform ohne Parlamentsbeschluss durchgeboxt hat, steckt Frankreich in der Krise. Der Präsident will zu anderen Themen übergehen – die Bürger lassen ihn nicht. https://t.co/oDX4cp9ysI
— DER SPIEGEL (@derspiegel) March 22, 2023
The DPA news agency points out that Emmanuel Macron was unable to convince the population, the unions or Parliament. In a somewhat ironic essay, a journalist wonders what will France do without its young retirees in good health? Who will look after the children during the very long summer holidays? In short, it is all French-style good living that is threatened, the journalist laughs, while another wonders if, with a retirement at 64, the expression very popular here in Germany, “living comme un Dieu en France” still has a future.