Not one but three. These are the demonstrations on May 1988 that will be held today in Paris, the result of an atmosphere with a high political content. Yes, the traditional one, as always, called by the main trade unions of the country: it will start from Denfert-Rochereau square (rive gauche) and then end at the Bastille (rive droite). Then there is the gathering promoted by the Front National at the Opéra, which has been a constant habit since XNUMX. But which risks taking on another meaning (and other participation) this year, thanks to Marine Le Pen's success in the first round . But the real novelty of 2012 is the demonstration called by Nicolas Sarkozy at the Trocadéro, where the President, given as an underdog in next Sunday's election, wants to celebrate the feast «of all those who work».
Sarkozy's statements in this regard have sparked quite a few controversies in recent days. He reiterated that he wanted to promote the "value of work against welfarism". And he took it out on "these intermediary elements" who, according to him, paralyze the country. The allusion, of course, is ai unions, accused of neglecting precarious workers and focusing only on employees, especially civil servants, aka the privileged. Indeed, on several occasions, Sarkozy has recently recalled the fate of "private employees, most exposed to the crisis". Today he wants to celebrate them, "those who work hard, who suffer".
Such aggressiveness is due to the fact that, in recent days, the CGT, equivalent to our CGIL, and that with the CFDT it is the main French trade union explicitly asked "given its budget and its plans" not to re-elect Sarkozy. Bernard Thibault, general secretary of the CGT, one of his number one enemies in the eyes of the President, will open today the traditional procession of May XNUMXst. He will be accompanied by François Chérèque, at the head of the CGT, who, on the other hand, has abstained from giving political indications for next Sunday's vote. All things considered, the trade unions are also in difficulty and today they want to show off a certain unity, even together with the smaller organisations. They called for the march through Paris invoking "the priority of employment" and "the fight against precariousness". Without any mention of politics. And in the elections.
With regard to Sarkozy's polemical attitude, it must be said that he does not only gather consensus even within his own party, the UMP. François Fillon, the premier, said yesterday that “We must avoid unpleasant remarks about trade unions. I don't like that the representative forces of the workers are criticized only as such". A jab at the "boss" perhaps due to a calculated strategy, aimed at diluting Sarkozy's aggressiveness and reassuring the more moderate part of his electorate. Or perhaps the real reflection of an unease: the center-right party is now thinking about the after Sarkozy. And a remote challenge has already begun between Fillon, closer to the center, and Jean-François Copé, the very rampant party secretary, who has always been closer to the right-wing tradition.
And where is François Hollande? In keeping with his prudence, he has decided that he won't be in Paris today. And he will not participate in the trade union demonstration. For him, on the other hand, some party comrades will be present, Martine Aubry in the lead, who is considered the true soul of the left of the socialists. And that she is given as probable prime minister in case Hollande really wins next Sunday.
