Will the failure of the first meeting between government and union leaders strengthen the protests? pension reform? Or will fatigue begin after two months of mass demonstrations in France? Unions this Thursday 11th day of protests and strikes – ninth under the legal framework of the general strike – against the unpopular rise in France the minimum retirement age is between 62 and 64 (with 43 years of premiums to receive full pension). This is the first national mobilization since Wednesday’s fruitless meeting between Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne and leaders of workers’ organisations.
Moreover 300 shows they are called throughout the neighboring country. Between 600,000 and 800,000 people According to the estimates of the intelligence services (not always certain) they will join them. More than 750,000 demonstrators – up to two million by unions – protested on the last day of such protests on 28 March. Preliminary data this Thursday from protesters and strikers in key sectors such as transport or education, sub-tracking compared to last week. With nearly a million protesters and up to five strikes nationwide, the current wave of protests represents the largest of the 21st century in the bustling neighboring country, according to precise police data.
keep up the pressure
Not the most impressive, but after two and a half months of protests and general strikes nearly every week, fatigue is palpable. to put Constitutional Council. The French counterpart of the Constitutional Court will decide on 14 April on the measure introduced by the Decree, whose parliamentary talks were interrupted due to the many legal mechanisms of the Executive.
“There is democratic crisis Laurent Berger, general secretary of the moderate CFDT, the French union with the largest membership, reassured from the front rows of the demonstration in Paris. The approval of the reform by a controversial government decree, despite the rejection by nearly 70% of the population, according to polls, fueled a sense of lack of democracy and damaged the institutions of the Fifth Republic. CGT leader Sophie Binet, who replaced Philippe Martinez as head of the country’s second largest trade union organization last week, complained that the government was “living in a parallel reality”.
Macron denies ‘democratic crisis’
Despite Prime Minister Borne’s attempts to calm things down a bit, Emmanuel Macron has been more daring towards the unions. “No democratic crisis. (…) From China, where he started his official tour on Wednesday, if people wanted to retire at the age of 60, they should not have chosen me as President.” The centrist leader carried out one of the most controversial measures of his second term with his strict stance. But when the reform was introduced on January 10 it paid a very high political cost, much higher than expected.
Macron’s popularity has fallen to its lowest levels since the yellow vests revolt in late 2018. far-right Marine Le Pen is increasing at an alarming rate. Despite this, the Executive is intensifying its dialectical attacks against the left, which it labels “intellectual terrorism,” as ambitious Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said in an interview on Sunday. for complete moderation.
According to the latest polls, the duel between the president and Le Pen is being repeated, this time in the hypothetical situation that is imaginary as Macron will not be running again in the next presidential election. The ultra candidate would win with 55% of the votes.. Undoubtedly, a reflection of the social and political crisis in France.