Emmanuel Macron spoke only on rare occasions on the pension reform, presented in early January by the government, and since then widely contested in the street and in the Assembly. On the night of Thursday to Friday, he said he was counting on the “spirit of responsibility” of the unions so that their movement does not block “the life of the rest of the country”.
“First of all, I would like the work to be able to continue in Parliament”, “this is how democracy must work”, declared the Head of State during a press conference at the end of a European summit in Brussels.
“The most serene and professional setting”
While the debates in the National Assembly have often been heckled since the beginning of the week, he considered it “important that this work be done in the most serene and professional setting, that the majority and the oppositions can ‘express “. “There are then demonstrations and strike movements which will continue to be organized within a framework which is provided for by the Constitution”, continued the president, who spoke only on rare occasions on this flagship reform. of its second five-year term which was presented at the beginning of January by the government.
The unions, which have already been very strongly mobilized in the streets on three occasions against the gradual postponement of the legal retirement age from 62 to 64, have called for new days of strikes and demonstrations this Saturday, but also on February 16 and March 7. They want to install the challenge over time, and for some go to renewable strikes.
“I know I can count on the spirit of responsibility of their organizers so that disputes and disagreements can be expressed, but calmly, with respect for property and people, and with a desire not to block the life of the rest of the country,” said Emmanuel Macron.