For MP François Ruffin (LFI), the pension reform wanted by Emmanuel Macron and the government should be decided by a referendum because, according to him, “the mandate that is at stake”it is “that of the President of the Republic”. “It is his reform, which he wants to pass at all costs. So it’s his mandate that raises questions”summarized the elected official of the Somme.
“I am in favor, if he wants to force through his pension reform, that it goes through a referendum. And that, as Charles de Gaulle did, he respects the opinion of the French people. And if it is no to his pension reform, it is he who must put his mandate back into play, it is not the deputies.
Today, the country needs appeasement, serenity and this is not what Emmanuel Macron brings. When we behave like that, when we carry out reforms against the people, without the people, in the end we wear down democracy. And me, I say it, in the long term, I am very worried for my country, for the unity of my country if it continues to manhandle it and mistreat it like that. »
Bill “before the end of winter”
This week, the government decided to temporize on this reform, yet considered by Emmanuel Macron as one of his main campaign promises. A cycle of consultations for the adoption of a bill “before the end of winter” was opened with the social partners, while part of the majority, including the president of the MoDem François Bayrou, opposed a rapid reform by means of an amendment to the Social Security budget. At the end of a dinner with the leaders of the majority, on September 28, the head of state had given up on the idea of reforming pensions before Christmas. But, to assert his authority, he had reintroduced the idea of leaving at age 65. An idea immediately rejected by the CFDT.
During this dinner, the word « dissolution » was not spoken. But, according to information from Monde, when a guest recalled that the government could be censured by the National Assembly, Emmanuel Macron cut it short: “I don’t want a mess. So, if there is a majority to vote for a motion of censure, we start the campaign again. And that’s all. “I have no problem going to the campaign again, I like it”seemed to answer Mr. Ruffin, a few days later.