After the validation of the main part of the text by the Constitutional Council on Friday, the pension reform was promulgated very early in the night from Friday to this Saturday April 15 in the Official Journal. Emmanuel Macron has affixed his signature despite calls from the unions, still mobilized against the reform, to delay.
It now appears in the Official Journal in France. The unpopular pension reform, with its flagship measure of lowering the retirement age to 64, was enacted on Saturday morning. The latest episode in a legislative and social soap opera that has been agitating the country for several weeks, between heated debates in Parliament, social grumbling and important political decisions.
After the decision of the Constitutional Council on Friday, which validated the essentials of the reformthe unions had demanded solemnly » to the French president of « do not enact the law “. Emmanuel Macron had fifteen days after the verdict of the “Sages” to affix his signature and thus give it its enforceability.
The unions’ request remained a dead letter: by promulgating the text overnight in the Official Journal, the Head of State rejected it. Between procrastinating and continuing on his path, Emmanuel Macron opted for the second option, as was expected on Friday after the decision of the Constitutional Council. The Élysée had made it known that a promulgation was expected ” in the next few days “, and a leader of the majority had slipped: “ We must move quickly, promulgate within 48 hours. Which act, with very quick timing.
What reactions after this express promulgation?
The retirement age in France is now officially postponed: ” The social security code is thus amended (…) In the first paragraph, the word ”sixty-two” is replaced by the word ”sixty-four” “, states the text of the Official Journal on April 15, 2023.
After this express promulgation, the reaction of the unions and opponents of the reform is expected. After the 12th day of strike Thursday, the inter-union announced that it intended to continue its mobilization and that it refused the meeting proposed by Emmanuel Macron before May 1, the date of Labor Day. The Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, had advocated appeasement by declaring that there is ” neither winner nor loser “, and that the government wanted ” continue consultation with social partners “. The nocturnal promulgation risks complicating this phase.
Already Friday, at the end of the day after the decision of the council, spontaneous gatherings and demonstrations took place in several cities, in particular in Paris where some excesses were noted; in Strasbourg where calls for a general strike were widely applauded by the demonstrators present, trade unionists, students and members of the Strasbourg collective “We will not die at work” formed of yellow vests from the first hour, reports our correspondent, Wyloën Munhoz-Boillot. On the Rennes side too, anger rose and clashes broke out between demonstrators and the police. New gatherings are expected this Saturday.
Evening of tensions in Rennes after the validation of the pension reform by the Constitutional Council
(and with AFP)