Pension reform: facing a crisis, the limits of finger snapping

VSFaced with the risks of a social, political and democratic crisis after moving to forceps the pension reform by 49.3, Emmanuel Macron explained himself to the French, Wednesday, March 22, without sparing the trade unions. From the moment he was sure that he would not announce the cancellation of his pension plan at the age of 64, his decision to appear on TF1 and France 2 at “13:00”, on the eve of the ninth day of mobilization, was only perceived. by them as a provocation. Laurent Berger, Secretary General of the CFDT, blamed the head of state most severely. “Denials and Lies” After being criticized for failing to offer a compromise on reform.

The unions are outraged, the street is threatened with flames every night, the president resists. Like Nicolas Sarkozy, who tried to unite his electorate for the first time amid tensions, Emmanuel Macron chose an offensive but risky posture. He defended his decision to extend the Frenchman by saying he was trying to turn a weakness into a strength in his second term. In 2027, self-representation failed, only common interest and long-term perspective. So he pleaded the unpopularity of the reform, but confessed that he regretted that he could not share the need for it.

Everything seems flexible and fragile

By taking this excessive position, re-elected in 2022, the French prosecutor turned into a block, which he blames “collective clarity” difficulty “Sharing Limits” and a practiced running game by the opposition. After that, Emmanuel Macron tried to expand his base towards right-wing liberal voters. Although the national rally has become increasingly threatening, it has ended a five-year term with a banner of full employment, welfare and the fight against the republican order.

In a context where all public actors suffer from a lack of legitimacy and where a fierce opposition is unable to create an alternative majority, a bet on coherence returns very little opportunity. It is still necessary that the landing conditions are well agreed upon. However, at this point, everything seems shaky and clearly fragile: with elected Republicans, divided and eager to get into the gallery, no alliance is emerging. Prime Minister Elizabeth Bourne, on borrowed time, has a short month to try to widen her majority and restore an agenda that could ease the atmosphere.

An immigration bill that threatened to rock the National Assembly has been cut; Schools, health, ecology, a call for concrete and immediately visible actions that will not necessarily pass this very rebellious parliament. The idea of ​​a special contribution aimed at companies making record profits will be floated in the debate without further details.

It is even more surprising that the President of the Republic acts as if the crisis was already behind him and addresses the issues revealed by the conflict with the social partners: professional attrition, career termination, low wages. Perhaps too much provocation in the eyes of the unions, because if six years of dialogue seems so hard to build, the Elysée host is on to something. In order for the country to move forward, the president of the republic must know how to build consensus. At this stage we are not at all.