France’s Constitutional Council on Friday ratified key measures to reform the pension system imposed by President Emmanuel Macron, which sparked an immediate response of disapproval in the streets after months of protests.
The announcement was greeted with boos by 3,000 demonstrators who had gathered in front of the Paris City Hall. John Barlow declared: “We will continue, we will intensify the demonstrations (…). Macron will have to back down”, Unemployed, 37 years old.
The reform promoted by the executive branch postpones the retirement age from 62 to 64 by 2030. In addition, the minimum contribution requirement to the scheme will be 43 and not 42, from 2027 to be able to collect a full pension. This political attempt has been taking place since last January, with the rejection of the unions, the majority of the French, according to opinion polls, and a large part of the political center.
The Presidency of the Republic indicated that the French President may promulgate the law “tomorrow, Saturday or the day after tomorrow,” as he usually does.Although the unions urged him in a statement not to do so, as “the only way to calm the anger expressed by the country.” The opposition, both on the left and the far right, has also asked him to do so.
Far-right Marine Le Pen, favored by the current crisis in opinion polls, warned that “the entry into force of this reform would mark a final break between the French people and Emmanuel Macron.” While the head of the Communist Party, Fabien Roussel, said: “I fear a social outbreak.”
The nine “scholars” in the Constitutional Council also rejected the left opposition’s request for a referendum Setting the retirement age at 62 years. Although this council overturned parts of the reform, the ratification of the main points of the law relieved the government. “This afternoon there are no winners or losers,” Prime Minister Elizabeth Borne said on Twitter after learning of her government’s positive decision.
A source from the judicial body explained to the press that when ruling in favor of raising the retirement age, its nine members took into account that “the legislator seeks to maintain the system by distribution, while also taking into consideration.” Increased life expectancy“.
Mobilization on May 1st
Many experts expected a partially positive decision by the Constitutional Council: Macron benefited from the power relationship of its nine members – chosen by France’s presidents and both houses of Parliament.
But the rejection of the joint initiative referendum fell like a jug of cold water on the opponents of reform. But the left opposition, which put forward the aforementioned proposal, had already anticipated it and on Thursday presented a second demand with a different formulation that would have a better chance of success. The Constitutional Council will issue its decision on this option on May 3.
Unions called for an “extraordinary mobilization” on the occasion of International Workers’ Day on May 1 They warned that they would not meet with Macron or his government before that date. A few hours before announcing the decision, the president proposed holding a union meeting next Tuesday, as “the beginning of a cycle (…) that will continue over the next few weeks.”
Power plants have been the spearhead since the beginning of the protests. On March 7, 1.2 million people were mobilized according to the government and 3.5 according to the CGT. After Friday’s ruling, they hope to revive the movement, which since mid-March has also been marked by specific protest measures such as banning access to cities, as happened on Friday in Rouen.
“stay on track”
Uncertainty now hangs over how Macron’s government will be able to redirect the social conflict. He accuses the president of creating a “democratic crisis” when he decided on March 16 to adopt the reform by decree, fearing that he would lose the vote in Parliament, as he lacks an absolute majority. With this law, he says he is seeking to avoid a future deficit in the pension fund, and in the success of this political move, the possibility of implementing a far-reaching reform program is at stake. “Stay on course, that’s my motto,” he said on Friday during a tour of restoration work at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
About the President of La Francia Insumisa Group, Mathilde BanotThe decision of the body assumesdangerous precedentHe warned that his party would continue to support protests and strikes against reform, and launched a new appeal to Macron to withdraw. French people change their minds,” he said, referring to the fact that 70% of citizens reject reformAccording to polls.
The decision of the French judiciary comes at a time of crisis and social unrest in France for three months. among the accidents, Last Thursday, the Louis Vuitton building was set on fire, after the demonstrators entered with torches and flags. Incidents against the company he manages Bernard Arnault Hours happened After Bloomberg declared the billionaire the “richest person in the world,” By raising his fortune to $210,000 million.
Guild leader Fabian Felido French TV channel BFMTV said The money that Macron “wants to finance his pension system” can “look for” in the Parisian headquarters of the multimillion-dollar brand..