The essence of the pension reform validated: does the executive emerge victorious from this sequence?

Louis de Raguenel, edited by Romain Rouillard (photo credit: GONZALO FUENTES / POOL / AFP) 20:20 pm, April 14, 2023

From a legal point of view, this is a victory for the executive. This Friday late afternoon, the Constitutional Council validated the essence of the pension reform, including the postponement of the legal age of departure to 64 years which crystallizes tensions. A decision that can be seen as a relief for President Emmanuel Macron who avoids the affront of a retoquage on the flagship measure of the reform. A strong symbol, especially since, legally, no appeal is possible.

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On the political level, on the other hand, it seems more accurate to speak of a half-hearted victory. If Emmanuel Macron was able to complete his reform, although partially validated, this decision of the Wise Men does not settle the institutional situation of the country. Because the pension reform has literally atomized the French political landscape and created deep social tensions. To the point of leading to the blockade of his government.

A decision that should not ease tensions

From this point of view, in the short term, there will be no before or after "decision of the Constitutional Council". The deadlock remains as the President does not have more deputies and therefore still does not have an absolute majority in the Assembly.

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It would then be illusory to think that this decision of the Constitutional Council will ease tensions. Tonight, the left cries out for the denial of democracy and pins all its hopes on the Constitutional Council's examination of a second referendum of shared initiative in the coming weeks. For its part, the RN gives appointment in the ballot box at the next presidential election.

The inter-union refuses any meeting with the executive before May 1st

At the same time, Emmanuel Macron makes no secret of his desire to promulgate the law as soon as possible, in the coming days. But his determination not to give up is likely to come up against the revolt of the unions. The latter declined the proposal of the president who wished to receive them next Tuesday. Through the voice of Sophie Binet, general secretary of the CGT, the inter-union said it was opposed to any meeting before May 1st. The unions want to remind the head of state that it takes two to tango. A way of showing that, without the withdrawal of the law, Emmanuel Macron will continue to dance alone.