Paris (AFP)

The first step in the legislative marathon on pension reform: MEPs start examining the text on a committee-by-article basis on Monday. A battle that promises to be arduous with an avalanche of amendments and oppositions decided to make "no gift".

It is a record under this legislature. No less than 22,000 amendments have been tabled on this disputed project aimed at creating a "universal system" of point retirement.

Enough to seize the work of the special committee of 70 deputies, which in principle has a week to study the 65 articles of the ordinary bill and the 5 of the organic bill, before its arrival in the hemicycle on February 17.

In "strike by zeal", the 17 Insoumis, who assume "obstruction" according to their leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, have deposited about 19,000. Not all will necessarily be deemed admissible, after a busy weekend for the directors of the Meeting.

"It is no longer even obstruction, it is legislative ZADism", says the "walker" Olivier Véran, co-rapporteur. "Those who are trying today to swallow up the discussions are the same to demand a real debate on pensions", notes the president of the commission Brigitte Bourguignon (LREM, ex-PS).

The majority is aware that the opposition on the right as on the left will not give him "any gift", but ensures that he is ready, like Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who is "not afraid" of the promised "ember field".

"We are very proud to carry this redistributive reform," said "walker" Célia de Lavergne, vice-president of the commission, to AFP. For the president of the Assembly Richard Ferrand (LREM), it is even "the most left reform of the quinquennium".

- "Keeping our nerves" -

But, recognizes a "walker", "we will also be assessed on our ability to keep our nerves" and "we will have to manage fatigue". First within the special commission, before which the seven co-rapporteurs (5 LREM, 1 MoDem, 1 Agir) will succeed one another, making in particular the link with Secretary of State Laurent Pietraszewski and Minister Agnès Buzyn. Then in mid-February session, where the tension may reach its climax.

Patrick Mignola, leader of the MoDem deputies, allies of the majority, wants to "bring down the masks" of the rebellious and advocates the possibility of a 49-3 as a tool for "deterrence". This article of the Constitution allows the Prime Minister to shorten debates and have a law passed without a vote.

While the French fighting reform have been on the streets since December 5, the opposition has repeatedly denounced a text "with holes" - including its 29 orders programmed - and a "contempt" of Parliament.

They also contest an "incomplete and insincere" impact study, and are based on the opinion of the Council of State which itself pointed to "incomplete" financial projections.

On the left, where we promise "a massive parliamentary battle", the three groups - PS, PCF and LFI - are ready to draw all the tools, including a joint motion of censure against the government, mid-February or end of February.

On the other side of the hemicycle, no obstruction in sight, but still a thousand LR amendments in committee. "Our strategy is to embody a third way between the government and those who are blocked," says group boss Damien Abad.

Among the macronists, some warn that they will not be simple "check-in desks". The majority group as a whole will only defend in committee about twenty amendments on informing the French, disability, the consequences of separation in couples, or even the hardship.

It is a question of improving the reform with "circumspection", pleads Catherine Fabre, one of the two persons in charge on this text whose final adoption is planned before the summer.

The social partners will continue until April the work of the conference responsible for bringing the pension system back to financial equilibrium by 2027. Discussions are also underway in the various ministries on various subjects, including arduousness.

In the meantime, the street battle will continue: on February 6, new interprofessional events are scheduled to demand the withdrawal of the project.

© 2020 AFP