Agreement with Republicans
Macron’s pension reform on the home stretch
03/15/2023 8:03 p.m
On the eighth day of protests against Macron’s pension reform, the mediation committee in the French parliament reached a compromise. The controversial amendment could already pass both chambers on Thursday. Meanwhile, a garbage collectors’ strike leaves Paris drowned in garbage.
Despite the massive protests, the French pension reform is about to be finally voted on. In the afternoon, a parliamentary mediation committee agreed on a compromise. This was accepted by ten to four votes, according to parliamentary circles. This indicates a final vote on the reform on Thursday with the votes of the government camp and the conservative Republicans in both chambers of parliament.
On the eighth day of protests, numerous workers in France took to the streets again on Wednesday. According to union information, there were 450,000 demonstrators in Paris, a little more than last Saturday, but significantly fewer than on the largest day of protest to date, just over a week ago. The official numbers are usually much lower. Numerous flights, trains and light rail vehicles were canceled again. In Paris, the ongoing strike by garbage collectors is now dominating the cityscape. Overflowing garbage cans, bursting plastic garbage bags and sodden cardboard boxes are piling up in numerous places. In total, at least seven tons of uncollected garbage blight the city. Residents and visitors complain about rats and bad smells.
Garbage disposal strike until Monday
Despite the vote in the Senate and National Assembly, the unions want to extend the garbage collectors’ strike at least until Monday. The waste incineration plants in the greater Paris area are also affected by the strike. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin called on the city of Paris to oblige garbage workers to work. Strikes also continue in the energy sector, in refineries and fuel depots. Electricity production was reduced again, but without any impact on consumers. The gas stations are still sufficiently supplied.
The French government wants to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 by 2030 to prevent a deficit in the pension fund. Previously applicable special pensions are to be canceled for all those who are newly hired. In addition, the minimum pension is to be raised to 1,200 euros for full contribution periods. The recruitment of seniors should also be encouraged. While the Senate vote is considered a formality, it remains unclear whether enough Republican lawmakers will vote in favor of the reform in the National Assembly. The government could use Article 49.3 of the Constitution to pass the reform without a vote. To do so, however, she would have to put up with a vote of no confidence.
The massive wave of protests that has been going on for weeks is also an expression of general disenchantment with politics and concerns among the population about the increased prices. In previous protest days, more than a million people have taken to the streets.