LCracks are turning into fractures and democracy is in danger of faltering. The use of 49.3 to have the text on pension reform adopted, after weeks of citizen mobilization in vain, is not just a political thunderclap. It is a perilous decision which further damages democracy and social dialogue. It contradicts the promise made by Emmanuel Macron on the occasion of the presidential election of “change method” and to govern with the living forces of the nation.
The democratic crisis in which we find ourselves and in which we are sinking further does not only affect our institutions. It penalizes every citizen and every citizen. It reduces our power to act and wastes precious time. It risks immobilizing society where we need a collective, concerted and forward-looking movement to implement the essential transformations, particularly in terms of ecological transition and the fight against injustice.
Appeasement and responsibility
All energies will be needed as long as they are not driven by anger and resentment. So now is the time for appeasement and responsibility. We, representatives of civil society organizations members of the Pact of the power to live, ask the President of the Republic not to promulgate the law.
This decision would be the only one capable of not letting the violence of acts and words win over society. It is essential to appease people’s minds, to give shape to our democracy. It is also essential to be able to collectively meet the challenges that await us. The projects to come – ecological transition, fight against poverty, reduction of inequalities, reindustrialisation – will require political will, hard work, ambition, but also trust, consistency and commitment from everyone. However, these ingredients are not met in the current context.
We must rediscover the conditions for a living social democracy. We must listen to needs, listen to realities, take experiences into account, respond to concerns. We must also set the course to build a society focused on justice, sharing, care, solidarity, protection, which gives everyone the power to live with dignity in a healthy environment.
This decision would constitute the first stone to rebuild a climate of trust and give ourselves the chance to mobilize the whole of society in order to build a common future.
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