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Prime Minister Édouard Philippe at his press conference on pension reform on December 6, 2019 at the Hôtel de Matignon in Paris. AFP Photos / Bertrand Guay

In the wake of the major trade union mobilization on Thursday, December 5, Prime Minister Philippe Philippe affirms his " firm " willingness to lead the pension reform, but " without brutality " leaving the door open to compromise.

The government is speeding up the tempo. After the success of the mobilization of Thursday, the Prime Minister tried to take again the hand, with this solemn address Friday which was not envisaged, in the court of Matignon. He did not present the architecture of the reform during this speech, but tried to respond to the concerns of the French before the new events scheduled on Tuesday, December 10.

Message addressed to railway workers and RATP staff

Basically, there is no change. Édouard Philippe said he was once again determined to complete the pension reform, but without " brutality ". It therefore leaves the door open to compromise, especially on transition periods, to switch from special schemes to the universal system.

A message especially addressed to railway employees and RATP staff. A " gradual transition " underlined the prime minister who " would be a matter of individual and social justice ".

I fully understand the concerns they make. It is true and it is true that the absurd application of the new rules would penalize them. And it is also so true that we have from the beginning with the President of the Republic that we are committed to the pensions of teachers in France do not decline.

Address by Édouard Philippe, December 6, 2019 06/12/2019 Listen

Édouard Philippe also gave the upcoming calendar on pension reform. Jean-Paul Delevoye , the High Commissioner for pensions and Agnès Buzyn the Minister of Solidarity and Health will receive Monday, December 9 all social partners, to " close the cycle of social negotiation open on the subject ", then present a " concrete assessment of expectations, concerns with points of agreement and disagreement ".

This will probably be the last meeting before the official government announcements. Edouard Philippe has made an appointment with the social partners Wednesday, December 11, at the Economic, Social and Environmental Council at noon, where he will present the entire government project on pension reform.

New call to strike

Meanwhile, the notice of unlimited strike on public transport continues to run. The strike continues until Monday night. But the hour of truth will ring Wednesday, according to the announcements of the government, the Inter may decide to a new demonstration the next day, Thursday, December 12.

►Also read: Pensions: massive strike in transport

For its part, the inter-union, composed of the CGT, FO, Solidaire, the FSU and student organization, launched this Friday a new call to strike. She calls to beat the pavement Tuesday, December 10, for a new day interprofessional. The inter-union must meet the same evening to decide on the follow-up to the movement. The unions that have toughened their position demand the withdrawal of the reform.