Recent tension on the pulse of pension reform in France. This french unions promote this Wednesday sixth general strike Lawmakers and senators are opposing the unpopular measure as they debate in a parliamentary committee Thursday if they vote definitively on the increase in the vote. minimum retirement age (with 42 or 43 years’ contributions to receive full pension).
After the mass mobilization of the past two months – the general strikes of January 31 and March 7 were the most massive in decades – the French unions want to continue the pressure on Emmanuel Macron’s government, even as they are starting to show how determined they are. first signs of fatigue and the limits of the strategy of multiplying both weekday and weekend protest days and work stoppages.
Moreover 200 protests It will take place this Tuesday in the geography of France. He predicts that he will be among the intelligence services 600,000 and 800,000 viewers. That would represent a higher number than last Saturday, but lower than this wave’s four major protests, where more than a million people took to the streets.
Scavengers on strike
Given the difficult position of the Macronist Executive, which does not seem willing to succumb to social pressure, the unions have been supporting it since last week. unlimited hits in some industries, such as trains, subways, fuel refineries or garbage collection companies. They were slowed down by the difficulty of absenteeism from these jobs. inflation timesThe strikes are not as numerous in transport – especially in the Paris metro, which circulates with a certain normality – but in another wave of strikes against Macron’s first attempt to reform the French pension system, one of the most advanced systems. in Europe.
The biggest repercussions were the strikes. scavengers in Parisaccumulate about 7,000 tons of waste without accumulating. These mountains of garbage on the streets of the French capital caused an angry exchange of criticism between the Government and the government. paris town hall. Similar strikes by these workers are as invisible as necessary. NantesLe Havre, Saint Brieuc or Antibes. This trash cans has become a symbol Against Macron’s reform.
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Paris headquarters of Macron’s party on Tuesday, throwing garbage bags. Such actions, for example deadlock this morning of the cuisine served Disneyland or the traffic interruption at the entrance of one of the Michelin factories is reproduced throughout the country. Some roundabouts are also occupied in their purest form yellow vests. After these protests, which are characterized by their peaceful and festive character, the temperature is rising in the neighboring country.
Will Macron approve the reform by decree?
The reform could be definitively approved on Thursday. Following Saturday night’s vote in the Senate on the text, which was rejected by 67% of the French in recent polls, joint mixed commission (consisting of seven deputies and seven senators) meets this Wednesday in a non-public meeting, as is usually the case in this body. If the majority of its members agree on the reform, then it will certainly be debated in parliament on Thursday. National Assembly.
But as far as the lower house is concerned, it is unknown whether the measure will be voted on or whether the centrist Executive will eventually approve it by decree. Controversial Article 49.3 of the Constitution. Despite the agreement with the Republicans (L.R., affiliated with PP), many MPs from the Republican right, and a few representatives of Macron’s party and other centrist formations oppose the vote of the text. Macronism, no numbers for now. And it may have to activate the 49.3 lever, which will aggravate the social and democratic disturbance.