On the 34th day of mobilization against the pension reform, the Prime Minister spoke on Tuesday on RTL. Edouard Philippe recalled the government's determination to achieve reform, while calling for "everyone to move a little" in order to reach a "compromise". He also took a step towards the CFDT.
"I am open to discussions on many subjects and I sometimes hear excellent ideas," the Prime Minister said on RTL on the 34th consecutive day of strike. Edouard Philippe thus responded favorably to Laurent Berger, the number one of the CFDT, who had pleaded Sunday for the organization of a "conference of financing" of the retirement system separate from the bill currently in preparation, while the union remains opposed to the establishment of a pivotal age.
"Closed on no modality"
"I will make proposals to the unions in two hours which may allow us to give content, a schedule, a mandate to this funding conference, and therefore to move forward," continued the Prime Minister, just before going return to the Ministry of Labor where he must introduce a multilateral meeting with the trade union organizations.
"I am not closed on any modality," insisted the Prime Minister, while repeating his attachment to the principle "which wants this reform (...) not to be an irresponsible reform". "I'm not stepping out of this," he said. "The balance of the system must be guaranteed" and "I propose to guarantee it by setting up a pivotal age", he said again. "But if the unions and employers' organizations agree on a better system, I will take it," he said again, as he already did when presenting the project on December 11.
Presented to the Assembly in March
While Emmanuel Macron had urged the government to find "a quick compromise", Edouard Philippe said he would propose to see the social partners "as soon as possible", perhaps this week.
"The sooner the better" to find an agreement, "but I also know that when we talk with union and employer organizations, we should not rush things," nuanced Edouard Philippe. The government's bill which aims to establish a universal points system will be examined in the Council of Ministers on January 24 for presentation to the Assembly in March.
Society
Pension reform: Edouard Philippe calls "each to take a step towards the other"
Economy
Pension reform: What concessions have already been made by the government?
- Society
- Edouard Philippe
- Video
- Pension reform