The pension reform was studied on Tuesday in committee in the Senate. The case was settled the same day. A rhythm that says a lot about the ambitions of the Senate for this reform. Jean-Rémi Baudot’s political editorial.
The message is clear. It is not among the senators that we are going to find obstruction. Obviously, Tuesday, February 28, the text approved in committee is not exactly that of the government. Several amendments have already been adopted. In particular, there are provisions in favor of mothers and the employment of seniors. Clearly, the right is on the move.
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To take an image: the government has just moved into a car with driver. At the wheel, the senatorial right which seems to tell him “Relax, we take care of everything“. Because, in the coming days, the right and the centrists, the majority in the Senate will set the tempo. This bill is very similar to the texts that the senators themselves have tried to pass in their last years, so there is little chance that ‘they’re judging each other. As a senator recently confided, “We’ve been waiting for this for four years“.
In a way, the government no longer has control, even if the reality is obviously more complex. Everything is played out behind the scenes between Macron, Larcher, Borne and Retailleau. These are discreet negotiations, punctuated by pressure from the press.
The government does not negotiate with the unions. He negotiates with the right.
One thing is certain, at the moment, the government is not negotiating with the unions. He only negotiates with the right. And since the right has its hands on the Senate, it would almost give the impression that nothing can stop this pension reform. It’s a bad impression.
It must be kept in mind that after the Senate and the transition to the Joint Joint Commission, the text of the pensions will necessarily come back to the Assembly for a solemn vote. And without overwhelming everyone with political scenarios, there is a risk that it will get stuck. That the text is not voted. That the government should draw a 49-3, or orders.
This means that the reform would be adopted without a vote. From a political point of view, it would be totally devastating. From an institutional point of view, it would be worse. From a street perspective, it’s a guaranteed showdown. So yes, the Senate is maneuvering on pension reform, but the story is far from over.