Classes closed, trains canceled and numerous parades: the unions are hoping for a third massive mobilization this Tuesday, February 7 against the pension reform, to maintain pressure on the deputies who have just opened hostilities in the hemicycle.
United against the postponement of the legal age to 64, the eight main French unions (CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC, Unsa, Solidaires, FSU) intend to continue to put pressure on the executive, after two successful days with more than a million demonstrators, according to the authorities.
The battle for pensions began on Monday at the Assembly in a stormy atmosphere. Preludes to electric debates, the rejection motion tabled by the left was rejected at the start of the evening before the RN’s referendum request to challenge the reform was also rejected by the Assembly.
On the second day of the examination of the text, the deputies will have an eye on the mobilizations which could however mark time, as in the key sector of transport where the strikes will have a little less impact on the traffic. The circulation of trains and metros will still remain “ strongly disturbed to SNCF and RATP.
More than 200 gatherings planned throughout France
There are fewer strikers expected among teachers, the start of the winter holidays requires. The FSU did not provide figures for primary schools this time. Actions in high schools and universities are not excluded, as in Rennes-2 where the students voted to block on Monday.
With more than 200 rallies planned in the country, a security source evokes a range of 900,000 to 1.1 million demonstrators, including 70,000 maximum in Paris. To control the crowds, 11,000 police and gendarmes will be mobilized, including 4,000 in the capital, where more than 1,000 “ yellow vests » and 400 « radicals ” are waiting.
The unions know that it will be difficult for them to exceed the record of January 31, with 1.27 million demonstrators according to the police. The CFDT is already planning for the next day on Saturday: “ We want to make it a Labor Day, with peaceful and festive processions. But the rest remains uncertain. ” If we are not heard, I think the climate will deteriorate significantly “, predicts the number one of the CGT, Philippe Martinez, dreading” a democratic problem “if the deputies” pass laws that are contrary to what the people want “. His troops are ready to raise their voices next week, especially in energy. ” If we have to move towards a wider blockage, we will probably go “Warns the boss of the CGT-Energie, Fabrice Coudour.
A government ready for anything
Not enough to back down a government determined to keep Emmanuel Macron’s campaign promise. ” It’s reform or bankruptcy “says the Minister of Public Accounts, Gabriel Attal. ” Standing still is not allowed “, insists his colleague, Olivier Dussopt.
After the concessions granted on small pensions, then long careersOlivier Dussopt spoke of a “ progress report in Parliament, before the 2027 presidential election. A new hand extended to the right, whose votes will be crucial to prevent the executive from resorting to the weapon of 49.3. The chances that all these subjects will be discussed are, however, minimal: more than 20,000 amendments have been tabled, mainly by the left, making it unlikely that a vote will be taken before the February 17 deadline.
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(With AFP)