Pension reform, mandate extension, demonstrations… What to remember from Emmanuel Macron’s interview

They were waiting for him, the one whose only words were whispered by the participants in private meetings. Two days after a nine-vote rejection of a vote of no confidence in the government, after using 49.3 to force pension reform, and on the eve of a mobilization that promises to be very popular, Emmanuel Macron was interrogated for about thirty minutes. on TF1 and France 2. Right in his shoes, he ruled out any way out of pension reform, despite the protest rising in the street, and charted a new course, betting on the “expansion of the majority.”

About pension reform

” Necessary (pension reform) comes into force by the end of the year, but we have to wait for the decision of the Constitutional Council,” explains Emmanuel Macron from the very beginning. And the head of state calculated that the text was voted in the National Assembly by an “unsuccessful vote of no confidence” after the government used 49.3.

“I don’t like it, I would rather not do it,” says Emmanuel Macron, saying he is held back by economic reality. “36 solutions do not exist if we want the regime to be balanced,” the tenant of the Elysee Palace justifies. “We could say Pensions reducedor increase active contributions, but we have a purchasing power problem,” he explains, suggesting “favoring unpopularity” for the “general interest of the country.”

About the dispute

“Organised demonstrations are legal and I welcome the spirit of trade union responsibility,” the head of state emphasizes. In addition, blocking, violence, they must be condemned. Blockages need to be removed when they interfere with normal activity. “We will not tolerate any overflow, we should also try to hear legitimate anger that is not violence,” he notes.

By the way, he believes that “most of the anger that has been expressed is not related to pensions. “If the French were completely angry, I probably wouldn’t have been re-elected a year ago,” he adds.

Toward an “exceptional contribution” to profits

Wanting to reaffirm his priorities, Emmanuel Macron assures that he will “ask the government to be able to work for an exceptional contribution, when there is an exceptional profit, so that workers can benefit from it.” “We have large companies that buy back their shares, they should give more to their employees,” he sums up, and the left opposition has been demanding a tax on excess profits for several months.

Wage hikes in some industries

Emmanuel Macron, who says the protests are not just about pension reform, wants to boost revenues in “industries where the minimum wage is below the legal minimum.” “Let’s work to find the answer in these professions of the first and second priority, in which wages are still below the legal minimum,” the Head of State explains. Emmanuel Macron also wants to “re-engage in discussions with social partners” on several issues such as professional attire and careers.

About the sequel

Faced with the use of 49.3 and growing social anger, does Elizabeth Bourne still enjoy the trust of the head of state? “I am confident that she will lead this government team,” the president said. “ It was decided, in order to avoid uncertainty, to take over the responsibility of the government (at 49.3). She took responsibility: there is no alternative majority,” he assures. And to say again, while the vote of no confidence in his prime minister was defeated by 9 votes: “Now I want the prime minister to be able to build an expansion of the majority. »

The legislative process will be revised to have “shorter and clearer texts”. The immigration bill, which was due to pass in the Senate next week, will be “cut into shorter texts” and then go to Parliament “in the coming weeks.” The idea is to be able to pass projects more easily despite the relative majority. “We have no right for our country to stop and stand still,” says Emmanuel Macron, rejecting the idea that he is no longer able to carry out projects and reforms.