Paris (AFP)

The secretary general of the CGT, Philippe Martinez, accuses the government of organizing "the mess" and playing "the rotting" of the conflict over the pension reform, on the 25th day of a social movement already longer than that of 1995 .

"Originally, we still had meetings planned for January. But all of a sudden, the calendar accelerated. They said to each other + we're going to stick the ultimatums to them during the Christmas holidays +. Emmanuel Macron wants to be the man of the new world, but he imitates Margaret Thatcher ", pummels the cégétiste leader in an interview with the Journal du Dimanche.

For Philippe Martinez, "the strikers are determined" to obtain the withdrawal of the project of "universal system" of retirement by points wanted by the executive, which he judges "individualist".

"There is a real anger. Of course, 24 days without being paid is hard. But this conflict is the reflection of two and a half years of suffering," argues CGT number one, "surprised at the solidarity that manifests ", especially through support kittens.

"Meanwhile, the government is playing rotting." And even he "organizes the brothel", assures Philippe Martinez, referring to the circulation of trains "three-quarters empty" and the suspension - to which the SNCF has returned - of the transport offer for children traveling alone. "The government makes people cry in the cottages to bring the strikers into disrepute," said the secretary general of the CGT.

According to him, "with the strike, we always get something. Look, for the past two weeks, we have been learning every day that this or that special regime will ultimately be maintained".

Philippe Martinez waits for the President of the Republic, during his wishes for the new year Tuesday evening, to recognize "that the majority of people are not happy, that he was mistaken".

"He said that he had changed, that he was ready to listen ... Where is Act II of the quinquennium? Today, he plays with fire: with the National Rally on the lookout, stir up the bitterness is dangerous, "warns the head of the cégétiste.

© 2019 AFP