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The vote of no confidence in Parliament fails, the pension reform is through. But France is facing stormy times.
“Resignation, resignation!” (Eng. «resignation») echoed through the French National Assembly – but the outraged cries of the radical left died away: Emmanuel Macron’s government survived two votes of no confidence.
But things continue to simmer in France. Right-wing populist Marine Le Pen is demanding that Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne resign or be ousted by President Macron. The socialists declare the pension reform to have failed – there is a lack of support in parliament and on the streets.
Lightning Rod Borne
After the votes of no confidence failed, the reform is officially a done deal. However, the government cannot sit back, estimates SRF correspondent Daniel Voll. “Being prime minister in France is an ejection seat. It also serves as a lightning rod for the President.”
Legend:
A graze for President Macron and Prime Minister Borne (in the foreground): In the first round of the vote of no confidence, only nine votes were missing for an absolute majority. In the second, the result was more clearly in favor of the government.
Keystone/AP/Lewis Joly
The protest formed again on Tuesday night and broke out violently in some cases. The mood is at the boiling point.
In recent days, the correspondent has observed a worrying development. “The large demonstrations organized by the unions have mostly remained peaceful. Now there were spontaneous protests in cities and arrests.”
Legend:
There have been riots in Paris and other cities for days.
Keystone/AP/Lewis Joly
According to media reports, 142 people were arrested in Paris alone on Tuesday night. Around 2,000 police officers were deployed in the capital, the broadcaster BFMTV reported. Eleven of them were injured.
Among other things, some demonstrators would have set garbage cans on fire and carried posters with inscriptions such as “To arms” or “Macron’s resignation”. Spontaneous demonstrations also took place in other cities such as Saint-Étienne, Strasbourg, Amiens, Caen and Toulouse.
The ongoing protests have not left the Élysée untouched. “If the unrest continues, the Borne government could have to go very soon,” says Voll. And the pressure from the unions is also continuing. “The strikes in public transport and in the energy sector continue, rail operations remain restricted, oil refineries and fuel depots are on strike.”
Legend:
Voll predicts that fuel could soon become scarce in some places in the country. The strikes by the refuse collectors are also felt in an unpleasant way for the population – as here in Paris.
Keystone/AP/Aurelien Morissard
With the votes of no confidence survived, the pension reform was passed by parliament, albeit in an unorthodox way. But she didn’t clear all the hurdles. The opposition is still trying to stop the reform by appealing to the Constitutional Council.
People should vote on reform
She also wants to get a referendum on the project. The requirements are athletic. In order for the ballot to take place, the signatures of ten percent of those entitled to vote are required – that is 4.8 million citizens. All initiatives have failed so far.
There is no longer any sign of the upheaval in society that Macron promised after his re-election.
The unions have jointly called for further mobilization for Thursday. “The participation in these demonstrations will show how broadly the protest is still supported by the population,” predicts the SRF correspondent in Paris.
Macron’s popularity at rock bottom
One thing is certain: President Macron’s popularity has once again fallen to a low point. It is currently at the level it reached during the Yellow Vests protests more than four years ago.
Legend:
President Macron has not had a political majority in Parliament for a year. He pushed the pension reform through the National Assembly without a vote.
Keystone/AP/Aureline Morissard
And the president’s domestic political leeway has probably shrunk, says Voll. “Macron used the crowbar on pension reform to prove its political ability to act.”
Wingless President
Because in Parliament, Macron overestimated the backing for his plans – especially from the Conservatives, who have also advocated raising the retirement age in the past.
Voll concludes: The President lacks coalition partners in Parliament. “And there is no longer any sign of the upheaval in society that Macron promised after his re-election.”