Pensions: appeasement, a very difficult quest for the executive and the unions

The secretary general of the CFDT, Laurent Berger, proposes to the executive a "gesture of appeasement", Tuesday, March 28, before the 10th day of mobilization against the pension reform. AP - Aurelien Morissard

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While the 10th day of mobilization against the pension reform takes place this Tuesday, March 28, the executive advocates the lull. Emmanuel Macron claims to extend a hand to the unions. Laurent Berger, leader of the CFDT, calls for "a gesture of appeasement to find a way out". But the debates are still deadlocked for the time being.

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150 rallies are planned throughout the France this Tuesday, March 28, on the occasion of the 10th day of mobilization against the pension reform project, passed in force in the National Assembly after the use of 49.3. An unprecedented security system has been put in place: crowds will be supervised by 13,000 police and gendarmes, including 5,500 in the capital Paris.

On Tuesday morning, a few hours before the parade, the police prefect, Laurent Nuñez, said he expected a thousand black blocks in the street, which could lead to new clashes. Everyone has in mind the violence of last weekend in Sainte-Soline, in the Deux-Sèvres.

There is a disproportionate use of force that we had already denounced at the time of the Yellow Vests.

Jean-Claude Samouiller, Chair of Amnesty International France

Nicolas Feldmann

From a political point of view, the executive is trying to regain control. He proclaims his desire for appeasement, even if he remains inflexible. On Sunday, March 26, the Prime Minister said she was listening. Elisabeth Borne opened on Monday a vast sequence of consultations spread over three weeks and invited the unions, if they wish.

« The inter-union proposes a gesture of appeasement »

Laurent Berger answered him at the microphone of France Inter. The secretary general of the CFDT does not close the door. But he keeps his course: he wants, as a prerequisite, the "suspended" of the postponement of the retirement age to 64 years. "Entering into a mediation process" would be "a strong gesture to make" in his eyes.

Laurent Berger also suggests "taking a month, a month and a half to ask one, two, three people to do mediation". And after these steps forward hoped for by the government, the union leader plans to "sit around the table, and we look at the question of work, pensions, on what there may or may not be a social compromise".

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What the inter-union is proposing today is a gesture of appeasement " that "must be seized", he insists. But time is running out, knowing that the decision of the Constitutional Council on this reform is expected within three weeks. In the meantime, many French people will hit the pavement once again.

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Read on on the same topics:

• France
• French politics
• Social issues
• Employment and Labour
• Emmanuel Macron
• Elisabeth Borne