Pension reform in France: 10th day of mobilization in a still tense climate

The tenth day of mobilization against the pension reform takes place Tuesday, March 28 under close police surveillance. An "unprecedented" device has been deployed while the executive tries to clear the land. AFP - ALAIN JOCARD

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The tenth day of mobilization against the pension reform takes place Tuesday, March 28 under close police surveillance. An "unprecedented" device has been deployed, while the executive tries to clear the land.

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The prefect of police of Paris, Laurent Nuñez, announced the color. He says he expects a demonstration that is very difficult to manage and the authorities have set up an "unprecedented" police system. 13,000 police and gendarmes will be deployed, including 5,500 in Paris, said Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin.

At a press conference, he called "in this period of violence (...) solemnly each and every one in peace" and evoked the possible presence in Paris on Tuesday of "more than 1,000 radical elements, including some from abroad, and others (who) were present at Sainte-Soline this weekend".

Violence of clashes discourages some from protesting Violence of clashes discourages some from protesting

Aram Mbengue

Mr. Darmanin added that these people "from the ultra-left and the extreme left" could also "carry out actions in Lyon, Rennes, Nantes, Dijon and Bordeaux", cities where the demonstrations were punctuated lastThursday by many violence.

'Excessive use of force'

Previous days of mobilization have been accompanied by violent incidents, such as Thursday's one that recorded 457 arrests and 441 police and gendarmes injured throughout the France. A judicial inquiry was also opened after police threats and intimidation against young demonstrators and the Council of Europe denounced an "excessive use of force".

Adama, delivery man, will protest and use his constitutional right
Adama, delivery man, will protest and use his constitutional right

Aram Mbengue

For its part, the executive is trying to regain control and proclaims its desire for "appeasement", even if it remains inflexible. On Sunday, the Prime Minister said she was listening, Elisabeth Borne opened Monday a vast sequence of consultations spread over three weeks, with parliamentarians, political parties, representatives of local elected officials and social partners if they wish.

► READ ALSO: Pension reform in France: Macron remains inflexible but does not close the door to dialogue

President Macron received Monday at the Elysee the leaders of the majority and the tenors of the government. The head of state is trying to clear the land without yielding anything to the unions. "We must continue to reach out to the union forces." That's the message hammered home, according to one luncheon participant.

The door is open, but not under any conditions

The President of the Republic wants to show the trade unions that his door is open. But not under any conditions. Agree to talk about working conditions, arduousness, employment of seniors or professional retraining. But there is no question of mentioning the postponement of the legal age.

President @EmmanuelMacron has asked me to build a government program and a new legislative program.
Parliamentarians, local elected representatives, party leaders, social partners: I will consult in the coming weeks all those who want to act for the country ↓

— Elisabeth BORNE (@Elisabeth_Borne) March 27, 2023

The leader of the CFDT, Laurent Berger, repeated it again: he will only accept "the outstretched hand" of Elisabeth Borne to the unions, if the government pauses, by "putting aside for the moment its reform".

The President of the Republic took the opportunity to condemn the violence very firmly: "It is the institutions that are targeted, they have nothing to do with the pension reform."

A look finally addressed to the Prime Minister who has a mission in the next three weeks: "to enlarge the majority". Elisabeth Borne opened this Monday new consultations with the political world, and she hopes, trade union. Three weeks to renew the link and hope to find new allies, under pressure from the street.

► Also listen: France: what future for the protest?

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Read on on the same topics:

  • France
  • Social issues
  • French politics
  • Elisabeth Borne
  • Emmanuel Macron
  • Unions