Emmanuel Macron persists and signs. During the interview with TF1 and France 2, Wednesday 22 March, the president confirmed that the pension reform would go to the end of the "democratic process".

  • Pension reform to enter into force by the end of the year

"This reform, it is necessary it does not make me happy, I would have liked not to do it, but that's also why I made the commitment to do it," said the head of state wishing an entry into force by the end of the year "so that things come back in place", and in particular that 1.8 million pensioners "begin to be increased by about 600 euros per year on average" and that "we begin to shift the legal age by a further three months".

  • Ready to embrace unpopularity

"I am not seeking re-election (...), but between the short-term polls and the general interest of the country, I choose the general interest of the country," said the Head of State, adding that "if it is necessary to endorse unpopularity today, I will endorse it."

  • "Re-engage" a dialogue with the social partners on working conditions

Emmanuel Macron said he heard "this need for justice" expressed in the demonstrations against his pension reform.

  • Confident in Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne

Emmanuel Macron called on her to "build a legislative program, a government program (...) to have both fewer laws, shorter, clearer texts, to also change things for our compatriots in a more tangible way".

  • Zero tolerance for violence

"You can't accept factions or factious," he said. "No overflow will be tolerated."

A ninth day of interprofessional mobilization is planned Thursday at the call of the inter-union.

With AFP and Reuters

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