Alexis Delafontaine / Photo credit: Ludovic MARIN / AFP 13:55 p.m., April 15, 2023

Just a few hours after the validation of the text on the pension reform by the Constitutional Council, Emmanuel Macron promulgated the law. If the majority confirms that this is "normal", the oppositions have denounced the speed of the head of state and are waiting for the demonstration on May 1st.

The law on pensions was promulgated on the night of Friday to Saturday by Emmanuel Macron, just a few hours after the validation of the text by the Constitutional Council. A speed denounced by the oppositions because, if everyone knew that the head of state wanted to go quickly, no one expected a flash promulgation.

A "normal" speed for the majority

On the side of the executive, "it is quite normal," replies a close to the president. "Emmanuel Macron has always promulgated laws in the aftermath," adds a senior member of the majority. The message is clear: circulate, there is nothing to see, neither haste nor innuendo on the part of the head of state.

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But this decision provokes the anger of the oppositions already on edge. Marine Tondelier, the president of the Greens, denounces a democratic hold-up. "This is an ultimate humiliation on the part of Emmanuel Macron: humiliation of the social movement, humiliation of his political opponents," she said.

"Extreme brutality" for oppositions

"He had fifteen days to enact this law. There was no hurry and in the night like that, by surprise, he promulgated it. It is extremely brutal. It is in fact a robbery, a democratic robbery, certainly, but it is nevertheless a robbery."

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The same is true of the unions. Sophie Binet, the general secretary of the CGT, announces a series of actions to come before "a historic popular tidal wave on May 1st".