" pension reform I don't like it, but it's necessary." So the French president Emmanuel Macron he addressed the citizens in a live broadcast on unified networks to try to calm the climate of protest, on the eve of another day of national mobilisation. “I could have swept the dust under the rug like so many before me. Do you think I like this reform?” Macron pressed, adding that "The pension system is no longer balanced, the longer we wait, the more it will degrade". “There aren't a hundred ways to make ends meet… The deficit, you choose to make your children pay, because today they refuse to have the courage. This reform is needed."
It is the first time that the head of the Elysée has spoken since the final approval of the pension reform by Parliament. Only two days ago the government survived the up votes two motions of no confidence for the sake of the headset. "The text of the pension reform will continue its democratic path", added Macron, but "now we have to wait for the Constitutional Council to express itself".
Macron to the French: this is why pension reform is necessary
In his speech, the head of the Elysée explained the need to adjust theretirement age (62 to 64 years) to new life expectancies is the only way to guarantee young workers a pension in the future. Without this measure, it is estimated that in 2030 the social security system could generate a deficit of 20 billion. "We must move forward on the pension reform, it must arrive by the end of the year", Macron reiterated, "so that "1,8 million pensioners begin to have an average increase of around 600 euros a year".
But the words of the head of the Elysée will hardly be able to smooth out the anger of public opinion. In recent days there have been scenes of urban guerrilla warfare again, with serious tensions between demonstrators and the police, smashed shop windows and burning bins. The social protests against the reform will probably continue for a few weeks, with serious repercussions on the French economy.
Macron on protests: "It is right to demonstrate, but no use of violence"
“I respect the right to express dissent we listen to anger but we say no to violence by the protesters. We do not accept partisans or factions”. And again: "When the unions demonstrate, they have their legitimacy, when they organize marches, if they do, they are against this reform, I respect them", he specified, adding, however, that "do not accept violence when you are dissatisfied with something ”. Then he underlined the need to "appease" and "rebuild a parliamentary agenda and reforms", "getting closer to the trade unions and political forces". "Change lies in reconciliation", he insisted, calling for the "co-construction of a parliamentary agenda with all the forces of the two chambers" and greater commitment "in the field".
Macron reaffirms his confidence in Borne
Macron, who has ruled out dissolving the chambers, as well as a government reshuffle or a referendum invoked by the opposition, reiterated his confidence in Elisabeth Borne. "She has my trust to lead this government team", said the tenant of the Elysée, adding that he had asked her to "build a government program to have fewer laws and clearer texts" and to "enlarge the majority". considering that “there is no alternative majority. In the Republic we are only one vote away”, the President defended himself.
Macron rejects "stop and immobilism"
The head of state has refused to let the rest of his five-year mandate be marked by immobility. He announced the maintenance of immigration law and the arrival of several texts on this subject in the coming weeks. To combat "the feeling of decline" and "the fear of change", Macron said he wanted to look to the future and continue the "battle for full employment and reindustrialisation". Then he indicated his priorities "for a better life": school, marked by the lack of teachers; healthcare, to combat the medical desert; energetic sobriety. “This is the path,” he concluded.
Macron: "It's the price for choosing the good of the country"
Macron's choice to bypass parliament to pass the reform has undermined his leadership and endangered his reformist agenda. Even if many are convinced that deep down the aim of the opposition right and left is to end Macron's presidential interlude at all costs. But the tenant of the Elysée is not afraid of being unpopular: "It is the price for having chosen the good of the country". Now it's just a matter of seeing if he will be able to find the way to the "normality".
