France: Emmanuel Macron officially promulgates the pension reform

French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace on April 14, 2023, a few hours before promulgating in the Official Journal the pension reform validated by the Constitutional Council. AP - Lewis Joly

Text by: RFI Follow

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After the validation of the essence of the text by the Constitutional Council on Friday, the pension reform was promulgated very early in the night from Friday to Saturday, April 15 in the Official Journal. Emmanuel Macron has affixed his signature despite the calls of the unions, still mobilized against the reform, to the temporization.

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It is now published in the Official Journal in France. The unpopular pension reform, with its flagship measure to raise the retirement age to 64, was enacted on Saturday morning. The latest episode in a legislative and social soap opera that has been shaking the country for several weeks, between heated debates in Parliament, social discontent and important political decisions.

After the decision of the Constitutional Council on Friday, which validated the essence of the reform, the unions had "solemnly" asked the French president "not to promulgate the law". Emmanuel Macron had fifteen days after the verdict of the "Sages" to affix his signature and thus give it its enforceability.

The unions' request remained a dead letter: by promulgating the text overnight in the Official Journal, the Head of State rejected it. Between procrastination and continuing on his path, Emmanuel Macron opted for the second option, as was anticipated Friday after the decision of the Constitutional Council. The Elysée had said that an promulgation was expected "in the coming days", and a leader of the majority had slipped: "We must go quickly, promulgate within 48 hours. " Of which act, with a very fast timing.

What reactions after this express promulgation?

The retirement age in France is now officially postponed: "The Social Security Code is thus amended (...) In the first paragraph, the word ''sixty-two'' is replaced by the word ''sixty-four''", states the text of the Official Journal on 15 April 2023.

After this express promulgation, the reaction of the unions and opponents of the reform is expected. After the 12th day of strike Thursday, the inter-union had announced that it intended to continue its mobilization and that it refused the meeting proposed by Emmanuel Macron before May 1, date of Labor Day. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne had advocated appeasement by declaring that there is "neither winner nor vanquished", and that the government wanted to "continue consultation with the social partners". Nightly promulgation may complicate this phase.

Friday, at the end of the day after the decision of the Sages, wild demonstrations took place in several cities, including Paris where some excesses were noted. On the side of Rennes too, anger has risen and clashes have broken out between demonstrators and police. Further rallies are expected this Saturday.

(

and with AFP)

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