Alexandre Chauveau, edited by Laura Laplaud 08h14, 06 April 2023

The failure of negotiations with the unions further weakened Élisabeth Borne. The Prime Minister was presented with a fait accompli on Wednesday: the unions will not discuss anything else until the pension reform is withdrawn. The way out therefore seems difficult to find.

Elisabeth Borne hoped to resume dialogue with the unions on Wednesday, receiving them at Matignon on the eve of a new day of mobilization. A meeting that ended in a "failure" according to the unions, who see a "democratic crisis" in the refusal of the Prime Minister to withdraw the contested reform.

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Everyone stands by their positions

If Matignon did not expect a miracle on Wednesday, it is nevertheless a failure. The inter-union even came out strengthened a few hours before a new day of mobilization. And this, while Elisabeth Borne cherished the hope of seeing union unity crack.

In the meantime, the Prime Minister continued consultations with Les Républicains on Wednesday evening and will receive Marine Le Pen next week. Interviews without real surprises where everyone reiterates his positions hostile to the executive.

Elisabeth Borne clings to Matignon

The enlargement of the majority wanted by Emmanuel Macron also promises to fail. What further weaken the position of Elisabeth Borne. Nevertheless, it seeks to show its ability to listen with a view to a hypothetical way out of the crisis. "I do not envisage moving forward without the social partners," she said on Wednesday.

Because if her place is threatened, the Prime Minister clings to her mandate, convinced that no one will do better than her at Matignon. The political impasse seems to go beyond his own person. An observation shared by most oppositions who reserve their sharpest criticism to the head of state. For his part, Emmanuel Macron is waiting for the decision of the Constitutional Council on April 14 to possibly contact the unions.