Pension reform in France: “64 – honestly, that’s not possible”

France’s trade unions have been protesting against the planned pension reform for weeks – even today. The government is undeterred. She relies on a commission to get her project through both houses of parliament.

For the members of the CGT Cheminots union in Bischheim near Strasbourg, it’s all about the sausage – literally and figuratively. Before the next nationwide protest day, the railway workers organized a barbecue to make their demands clear again.

“We get up every morning and it’s getting harder and harder to make ends meet,” a trade unionist told BFMTV. “64 – honestly, that’s not possible.” There are so many who want to work. He would gladly give his place to the boys. “The sooner the better!”

Another says: “We don’t want this reform. Because it’s bad; for everyone! We’re going on strike and we’re ready to see it through to the end.” The vast majority of working people are against the reform. The ball would be in government court. “You have to react to it or withdraw the project.”

A commission should mediate

Both unionists want to get going and uphold the protest movement. Today, however, the focus is likely to shift back to the political level. Because then the so-called “Commission Mixte Paritaire” meets; a kind of mediation committee between the two chambers in parliament.

The body is to draw up a final draft for the pension reform. Philippe Vigier is a member of the National Assembly and a member of the Commission: “For me, this is the eleventh Commission since I have been a Member of Parliament. And this is a moment of serious work – quite technical, by the way.” Members would then go through the text paragraph by paragraph; sometimes write changes directly.

Confidence at Premier Borne

If the Mediation Committee agrees on a joint text, it could be submitted to both chambers of Parliament for a vote on Thursday. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has recently shown herself to be combative. She is confident that the reform will then also get through in the National Assembly. “There is a majority in this Parliament that believes in work – including in the work of older people.”

Borne is certain that there is a majority “who believe in a pension system based on redistribution and who want to guarantee young people that they too will benefit from it.” This majority does not want to finance pensions through higher taxes and is not afraid to implement unpopular reforms if they are necessary.

Much depends on the Conservatives

In order to pass the reform, however, the government needs the votes of the conservative Les Républicains. But sections of the Conservatives disagree with aspects of the reform. Their closed support is far from secure.

It is possible that the government will end up needing the infamous Article 49.3 of the Constitution. It is a kind of “parliamentary crowbar” with which a law can be pushed through parliament without a vote. The government actually wants to avoid this – because it could further fuel the protests.