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CGT union leader Philippe Martinez (4th from right) in the procession against the government pension reform, in Paris, January 11, 2020. REUTERS / Gonzalo Fuentes

In France, the week will be crucial for pension reform with a new mobilization in sight. The government's withdrawal of the pivotal age paves the way for the resumption of negotiations with the reformist unions. But the fiercest opponents intend to continue the strike which has lasted for more than five weeks.

After Prime Minister Édouard Philippe's announcements , the union front is cut in half. While the CFDT, Unsa and the CFTC saluted the outstretched hand of the government, the CGT, FO, the FSU, CFE-CGC and Solidaires did not give in: they called for the continuation of the movement which particularly affects transport.

A new mobilization is planned for January 16 throughout the territory, which will be considered a test. This Monday, the general meetings of the SNCF and the RATP will give an indication of the continuation of the strike.

But as the strike became very expensive for the strikers, it was already showing signs of running out of steam. Traffic will still be disrupted this Monday in the capital, but with a clear improvement.

Mobilization in the street is also decreasing. Protesters were far fewer on Saturday than at the January 9 demonstration. In the past, social movements prevailed because there was union unity, which is not the case today.

"We are going to go to the end," says Philippe

It was an Edouard Philippe who said he was " concentrated ", but who seemed especially relieved on Sunday evening on the set of France 2. With the withdrawal of the pivotal age, the ball is now in the court of the social partners: they have 3 months to find ways to balance the new pension system. For Édouard Philippe, this objective has not been abandoned.

We are going to go to the end and, basically, all those who incite (the strikers) to continue the strike send them perhaps in a dead end

Prime Minister Édouard Philippe 01/12/2020 - by France 2 Play

Part of the unions and the strikers still want the outright withdrawal of the reform. There was a turning point in the negotiations, will there be a turning point in the strikes and on the street?

► Also to listen: Romaric Godin, journalist: "Social war in France"