• France. Protest against pension reform on a "black" Tuesday in transport

"From here I will be sanctified or charred." Jean Paul Delevoye made this confidence to his collaborators by being appointed High Commissioner of Pensions. It was September 2017. Since then he has maintained an open dialogue with the unions. On Monday he delivered his report, which collects the consensus and little else. That day, he erased his brilliant service sheet: he forgot to include in his declaration of interests an unpaid position of an entity linked to the employer's insurance. If not charred, quite burned is over.

The unions highlight "its size, its convictions and its sense of duty" in the words of the Labor Force negotiator, Philippe Pihet , who ended up leaving the table. "He knows how to wrap things with his big words. He has managed to anesthetize everyone," said another to Le Figaro , who does not identify him.

But what does a 72-year-old grandfather paint with 12 grandchildren, a huge guy (1.92) in the world of Macron where almost no one goes over 40 and everyone wears fitted suits. Gaullist veteran since 1981 (Macron was 4 years old), the president has entrusted him with the way to his most disruptive reform, that of retirement. He has not managed to avoid the conflict but has managed to keep the first union of France (and the most moderate) the CFDT in the reforming field.

Macron was given the idea when he visited former President Jacques Chirac at his home. According to Libération five months ago, someone from Chirac's surroundings told him that it was he who made the 2003 reform. Attributed to the then Minister of Social Affairs, François Fillon, the dialogue with the unions led him, who was Minister of the Function Public More than a million people took to the streets. But officials have to contribute 40 years, as was already happening in the private sector. (Before, 37.5).

In addition, Delevoye had chaired the Association of Mayors of France for ten years. And he had been a deputy, senator and ... one of the first to jump from the right to the ranks of Macron.

"Made to meet us"

He would be his providential man, even because they both studied at the Providence Lyceum, the Jesuits of Amiens. Libé described two of the treasures Delevoye has in his official office: a handwritten letter from General De Gaulle and a photo of the football team from his hometown (Bapaume, Calais Pass) in which he played when he was 20 years old. The name of the sponsor, Macron Birds, is read on the yellow and red shirt. "We were made to meet," he joked. Two key contributions of the High Commissioner. He stood firm when several members of the Government, including Prime Minister Edouard Philippe , were in favor of delaying the retirement age, 62 years. "I only defend what I believe. If you want to change course, find another pilot."

He had another encounter with Philippe when he considered accompanying the systemic reform of the retirement of another parametric, taking advantage to make savings. His relations with the prime minister have been bad. The government does not appreciate everyone either. "It is an eel, always unclear, neither dynamic nor brave," said a ministerial advisor.

The trade unionists ended up showing their disappointment. This was stated by a trade unionist in Le Figaro : "It's like the Miss World contest: more equity, more justice and world peace. Okay, but specifically what are we going to do."

In his conclusions, Delevoye says: "I am convinced that the status quo does not hold, that the project is indispensable and that future generations will recognize us."

Measurements

The agreed proposals are to maintain the retirement age at 62 years, guarantee by law that the point of the new system will never go down, that the minimum pension will be 85% of the minimum wage for a full career and that they will be taken into account in the calculation the premiums of the officials (essential for educators) and the penalty.

The points of contention are abundant and the final decision will be presented today by the prime minister. The most critical, the entry into force of the new system. Delevoye maintains 2025 but opens a new scenario. That young people enter the new system before and that the term be extended ... for all or for some of those already at the end of their working life.

"I am a basic and simple guy. I don't do calculations or have a strategy or career plan," said the High Commissioner. Too bad that on Monday, Le Parisien revealed that he forgot to include in his declaration of interests that he was on the board of directors of the Training Institute of the Insurer profession, closely related to the French Insurance Federation. He resigned that same afternoon and it was not a paid job. "It was a mistake, I admit it. I almost don't go there. I don't know anything about the training of insurers. I promote education, culture."

The unions have thrown themselves to slaughter. They accuse him of collusion with the sellers of private retirement plans, emphasizing that of private. Charred, no but scorched, yes, the high commissioner Delevoye has finished.

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