• Tweeter

  • republish

CFDT general secretary Laurent Berger arrives in Matignon on December 18, 2019. JACQUES DEMARTHON / AFP

The situation remained stuck on Wednesday, December 18 in France around the controversial pension reform project. Laurent Berger, secretary general of the CFDT has not left any doubt: " We are very, very far from an agreement " allowing an end to the strike in transport, a few days before Christmas.

The day after a third day of demonstration since the start of the mobilization started on December 5 against the flagship project of the Macron quinquennium, the social partners have succeeded each other in Matignon, seat of the government. But after his meeting with Prime Minister Edouard Philippe , the leader of the CFDT, Laurent Berger, remained on the finding of a " disagreement " with the executive. The reformist union, however favorable to the project of a universal system of pensions with points, is opposed to a key point of the reform, "the age of equilibrium" (64 years in 2027) , which implies a departure to later retirement.

We felt a desire for discussion and openness, so much the better, but we are still very far from agreeing.

Laurent Berger, general secretary of the CFDT 18/12/2019 - by Pauline Gleize Play

" The determination of the CFDT is intact, " insisted Laurent Berger, while confiding to having felt a "willingness to discuss" on other themes, notably concerning the arduousness .

Previously, the leader of the CGT, Philippe Martinez, at the head of the dispute, had recalled that his organization demanded the withdrawal of the bill, and denounced " an ideological position " of the executive.

The Prime Minister, the government and the president of the Republic have an ideological position with the defects of the presidency of the Republic since his election, it is that he considers that he is right all alone, necessarily, when it happens things in the street, he doesn't listen.

Philippe Martinez, secretary general of the CGT 12/18/2019 - by Pauline Gleize Listen

The French presidency, however, made an opening sign this Wednesday morning. Emmanuel Macron is ready to " improve " his reform , she said, suggesting " progress by the end of the week ".

All the social partners and the executive must meet for further discussions on Thursday in order to find a way out of this crisis which has largely paralyzed public transport, especially in the Paris region, since December 5.

► To listen to: Pensions: Macron's crash-test reform