Call for “exceptional mobilization” in France against pension reform

French unions on Friday called for an “exceptional mobilization” on May 1 against President Emmanuel Macron’s unpopular pension reform, shortly after the Constitutional Council validated its key measures.

The union centrals, which refused to meet with Macron and his government before that date, also requested in a joint statement that the president “do not enact the law, only way to calm the anger expressed in the country”.

The French Constitutional Council validated on Friday the key measures of the unpopular pension reform of the liberal president Emmanuel Macron, unleashing an immediate response of rejection in the streets after months of protests.

The announcement was greeted with boos by nearly 3,000 protesters gathered in front of the Paris City Hall, AFP found. “We will continue, we will intensify the demonstrations (…). Macron will have to back down”said John Barlou, an unemployed 37-year-old.

The Constitutional Validated the delay of the retirement age from 62 to 64 years by 2030 and the requirement to contribute 43 years, and not 42, from 2027 to collect a full pension, despite the constant rejection since January of the unions and a majority of French, according to polls.

The 45-year-old president could enact the law “tomorrow [sábado] or the day after tomorrow” as “usually do”, indicated the French Presidency, although the unions urged it in a statement not to do so, as “the only way to calm the anger expressed in the country”.

The opposition, both from the left and the extreme right, also asked him to.

“The entry into force of this reform will mark the definitive break between the French people and Emmanuel Macron”, warned the far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who is favored by the current crisis in the polls.

“I fear a social outbreak”, said the head of the Communist Party, Fabien Roussel.

The nine “wise men” of the Constitutional Council also rejected a request by the left-wing opposition to call a referendum to limit the retirement age to 62 years.

Although it annulled parts of the reform, the validation of the key points of the law comforts the government.

“This afternoon, there are neither winners nor losers”, Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne tweeted after learning of the favorable decision for her government.

“Exceptional mobilization” on May 1

Many French and experts predicted a partially favorable decision of the Constitutional. The relationship of forces of its nine members – chosen by the presidents of France and the two chambers of Parliament – also benefited Macron.

However, the rejection of the Shared Initiative Referendum (RIP, for its acronym in French) fell like a jug of cold water on the opponents of the reform.

But the left opposition, which presented said proposal, already expected it in some way and on Thursday presented a second RIP demand with a different formulation and, in its opinion, with a better chance of success.

The Constitutional Council will communicate its decision on this on May 3, it said in a statement.

The unions called for an “exceptional mobilization” two days before, on the occasion of International Workers’ Day on May 1, and warned that they will not meet with Macron or the government before that date.

A few hours before the decision was announced, the president proposed a meeting to the French unions on Tuesday, as “the beginning of a cycle (…) that will continue for the next few weeks”.

The plants have been the spearhead since the start of the protests in January. On March 7 they managed to mobilize between 1.2 and 3.5 million people, according to the authorities and the CGT, respectively, but the marches have been less crowded since then.

After this Friday’s ruling, they hope to revive the movement that, since mid-March, has also been characterized by specific protest actions, including blockades of access to cities such as the one registered this Friday in Rouen (northwest).

“Stay the Course”

Uncertainty now hangs over how the Macron government will manage to redirect a entrenched social conflict.

The president is accused of having created a “democratic crisis” when deciding on March 16 to adopt his reform by decree, fearing that he would lose the vote in Parliament where he lacks an absolute majority.

With this law, which according to the government seeks to avoid a future deficit in the pension fund, it was also at stake to be able to apply his reform program during his second term until 2027.

“Stay the course, that’s my motto”, he said this Friday during a visit to the restoration works of the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris.