Pension reform “will continue on its democratic path”: This was stated by French President Emmanuel Macron, who was interviewed live on France 2 and TF1. The motion of no confidence in the government had “failed”. Now “we have to wait for the proclamation of the Constitutional Council”. “We must move forward: it is in the best interest of the nation”
“If I talk to you, do you think I would do this (pension) reform? The answer is ‘no’. I could have swept the dust under the rug, like so many before me, the answer is ‘yes’…'”: said the French President, saying again that pension reform is “not a luxury” but “necessary” more than ever to bring the pension system back into balance.
“If the unions demonstrate, they have their legitimacy, if they organize demonstrations, then they are against this reform, I respect them,” French President Emmanuel Macron said live on TV, adding, however, that he “does not accept violence if… you are dissatisfied with something”. “We are a great nation and an ancient people – said Macron – who can arm themselves with politically legitimate leaders. President of the Republic, MPs… are elected by the people. The unions are legitimate.” “But it is unacceptable for groups to use extreme violence, as in the past few days, to attack the mayors, the pro-reform representatives of the Republic. It is unacceptable for them to use uncontrolled violence because they are unhappy with something.”
French President Emmanuel Macron during the live interview on TF1 and France 2, He said he was willing to put up with the “unpopularity” of pension reform. The French leader recalled that he could not be re-elected for a third time at the Elysée and stressed the need to pass the controversial pension reform “in the best interests of the nation”. French head of state hit by social crisis over pension reform he said Borne “has the confidence to lead this government team”. And again: “The mandate I have given you is to expand this majority as much as possible”. By resorting to Article 49.3 of the constitution to pass the controversial social security reform, Borne has shown “responsibility,” Macron said again, adding that “we have no right to standstill or immobility.” I’ve heard the “legitimate anger expressed in a Republican context” from some professions that have difficult working conditions: Emmanuel Macron promised on live TV in the midst of the pension reform crisis that new talks with unions would the topic of “tired work” is better addressed. The President of the Republic acknowledged that the Executive’s proposals on this point were “not strong and tangible enough”.
It is the first time Macron has addressed the French since the pension reform crisis began in January, although the initiative took the form of a live interview, with the president answering journalists’ questions. Last night new incidents and tensions erupted in Paris, but also in Rennes, Nantes, Reims, Toulouse, Lyon and many other cities. And disputes about alleged police violence. The left, along with lawyers and judges, condemned arrests carried out “by force” by the police and strenuously called for the release of wrongfully arrested protesters. In a video that has been circulating online, an officer can be seen beating a protester, who falls to the ground. The incidents took place on Rue Saint Antoine near the Bastille and the police have launched an internal investigation to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident.
France, night of anger and fires, hundreds arrested
Strikes in refineries, transport and sanitation continue, Normandy is now the leading region of protests with a ‘dead port’ operation in Le Havre with several roadblocks to halt all port activities. In the afternoon, after Macron’s speech, demonstrations are already scheduled throughout France, in Paris at 6 p.m. in the “Stalingrad” district, in Bordeaux at 5:30 p.m. on the Place de la Victoire, in Strasbourg “barbecue strike” by citizens at the railway workers on strike .
ANSA agency
THE VIDEO – Tensions in Paris and other cities. Mélenchon protests against the arrests: “Now distrust of the population”. Macron Prime Minister: “Determined to move on” (ANSA)
Finally, tension in anticipation of tomorrow, the ninth day of the general mobilization against the reform that wants to raise the minimum age for retirement from 62 to 64 years: 600,000 to 800,000 demonstrators are expected, 12,000 police officers are deployed, a record number since the beginning of the protests. In Paris, the procession will cut the city in two, from the Bastille to the Opéra,