Alexandre Chauveau and AFP 11:03 a.m., December 22, 2022

Without the support of the Republicans, the government cannot have its text on pension reform adopted.

Eric Ciotti must bring together his political family, divided on this thorny issue and whose support for the government is not certain. 

TO ANALYSE

The president of the Republicans (LR) Eric Ciotti warned Elisabeth Borne on Wednesday that his party would not support the pension reform "at any price", ruling out a "brutal" increase in the retirement age to 65 and advocating measures for small pensions and women.

“I asked the Prime Minister the conditions for this reform to see the light of day”, declared to the press the boss of LR after a meeting of almost an hour in Matignon with Elisabeth Borne devoted to the pension reform.

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Pension reform: will Eric Ciotti manage to unite his camp?

Political tactics from LR

The Republicans intend to play the pivotal role in the National Assembly.

Without the support of the right, there is no chance of seeing this text pass for the government.

LR is therefore preparing to play the referees from the start of the school year.

However, Emmanuel Macron thought he would have no trouble rallying the voices of Republicans on measures long defended by the party such as pension reform or on a text supposed to strengthen the fight against immigration.

The government had not foreseen the divisions within the group where everyone now plays different music.

Thus, on pensions, nearly a third of LR deputies say they are finally opposed to a decline in the retirement age.

Concerning the immigration bill, the creation of a residence permit for occupations in tension offered the right the opportunity to veto and denounce a plan for the massive regularization of illegal immigrants.

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Pension reform: Elisabeth Borne unveils the first measures

There are political considerations behind all this.

Although in the minority, some elected LR refuse to vote for the government's texts, either so as not to be assimilated to its balance sheet for 2027 or by political tactics after having experienced the absolute majority of the first five-year term as a humiliation.