The executive procrastinates, a little longer. On the subject of the method which should make it possible to reform pensions, “We will decide by the end of the week”declared Elisabeth Borne, Monday September 26 on RMC and BFM-TV, while the opposition castigates the hypothesis of reforming the pension system by means of a simple amendment to the Social Security financing bill (PLFSS) .
“With the President of the Republic, we have planned to have discussions this week with the ministers concerned and those responsible for the majority. There are different scenarios, we are looking for the best way. We will listen to views”, said the Prime Minister. As to whether the final objective is to raise the retirement age to 64 or 65, “We’ll talk about it when the time comes”she added, advocating the « dialogue » and the “consultation”. However, added the Prime Minister, Article 49.3 of the Constitution, which allows the adoption of a text without a vote in Parliament except for a motion of censure, is “one of the tools that is available to the government if there is a deadlock situation”.
François Bayrou, Emmanuel Macron’s MoDem ally, is opposed to the idea of reforming pensions through the PLFSS, while former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe urges to move quickly, whatever the method. Unions and oppositions are against a flash reform, including the Les Républicains party, which nevertheless considers it essential to reform the pension system. “We risk breaking the social body”warned the secretary general of the CFDT, Laurent Berger, on Europe 1, promising a hot social autumn in the event of recourse to the PLFSS.
“The balance is deteriorating”
“Before talking about the how, it is important to talk about the why”, argued the Matignon tenant on RMC and BFMTV, recalling that“We have in France a unique social model in the world”. “All of this can only be financed sustainably by collectively producing more resources, than by working more”she said, noting that in France “the share of seniors in employment is lower than elsewhere” – like that, moreover, of “young people who work”.
“All the organizations that assess our system tell us that the balance is deteriorating” between revenue and expenditure, warned Mme Borne, who also pointed out that the executive “has planned to increase the smallest pensions” and to take into account long careers and arduous work.
Asked about purchasing power, the Prime Minister assured that the price of a pack of cigarettes will increase in proportion to inflation. Friday, The echoes had revealed that the government was considering indexing excise duties on tobacco to inflation, i.e. an increase of around 70 euro cents in the price of cigarette packs, according to a figure from the economic daily.
“The rule is to heat to 19°C”
Elisabeth Borne also declared that the government intends to set up aid for households that heat with wood, like that decided this summer for homes heated with fuel oil. “It will be important to see if some [fournisseurs] do not take advantage of the crisis [de l’énergie] to increase pricessaid the Prime Minister.
“We are penalized by the fact that Russia has stopped its gas deliveries to Europe”she continued, calling for “act at European level to avoid this spike in energy prices”while “more than half of our nuclear reactors are currently shut down for maintenance”. In terms of savings and sobriety, she reminded households in France that “the rule is to heat to 19°C”.
Questioned finally on the draft budget which must be presented this Monday in the Council of Ministers, Mme Borne assured that “In the Social Security financing bill, we are asking pharmaceutical companies to make efforts. They achieved a significant turnover due to the health crisis. It is important that they take part in the collective effort”.