Wilfried Devillers, edited by Julien Moreau 20:09 p.m., March 21, 2023

While waiting for Thursday's big mobilization against the pension reform, at the call of the inter-union, a rally is organized this Tuesday evening on the Place de la République in Paris. Europe 1 went there to take the pulse of the situation.

48 hours before the next day of mobilization against the pension reform organized by the inter-union, many demonstrators decided to go to the Place de la République on Tuesday, March 21. In the early evening, the atmosphere is calm, even festive. Several hundred people gathered, including many trade unionists. Flags of the CGT and SUD fly in the square.

>> READ ALSO - INFO EUROPE 1 - Pension reform: between 40,000 and 70,000 demonstrators expected Thursday in Paris

A lot of determination in the procession

An atmosphere that contrasts with that much more tense of the last days. Nevertheless, a strong determination emanates from this procession. At the microphone of Europe 1, Quino says "expect nothing" from the speech of Emmanuel Macron, scheduled this Wednesday in the television news of TF1 and France at 13 pm. "From the beginning, Emmanuel Macron has sought to impose his pension reform by force, while we are millions in the street for several months. We know very well that it is through the general strike that we can obtain the withdrawal of this reform, it is only by the balance of power, "said Quino, a demonstrator, at the microphone of Europe 1.

>> READ ALSO - Pensions: fines, prison, civil rights... What participants in an illegal protest risk

A president out of touch for protesters

For Basil, the president of the Republic is out of touch with reality: "He speaks to the newspaper 13H, an hour when people are either at work or in class. There are very few people who will be able to listen, it is still a symbol. He doesn't want to address the people." Beyond the pension reform, many demonstrators are simply demanding the resignation of the government, but also of Emmanuel Macron.