It’s the end of a long wait. Seized by the government and the members of the opposition, the Constitutional Council has finally rendered its decision on the pension reform. The text was validated by the Elders, who challenged six provisions, including the “senior index”. A conclusion hailed by the majority and denounced by some members of the opposition, calling for the challenge to continue.
It is with sobriety that Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne welcomed the news. “Tonight, there is no winner or loser,” she commented on social networks, stressing that the text “is coming to the end of its democratic process”. “I welcome the decision of the Constitutional Council”, added the Minister of Labor, Olivier Dussopt, affirming in turn that this “marks the end of the legislative and democratic progress of the reform after several months of consultation and debates at the Parliament”.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, on the other hand, set the tone of the opposition, immediately accusing the Constitutional Council of being “more attentive to the needs of the presidential monarchy than to those of the sovereign people”. “The struggle continues and must gather strength,” he said. The deputy of the Somme François Ruffin also spoke of an “ignored people, set aside”. “Tomorrow, Macron and all his friends will be defeated, at the polls or in the streets. Retirement at age 64 will be abolished. The Citizens’ Initiative Referendum will be necessary to no longer leave full powers to a new king, ”continued the elected official.
Environmentalist leader Marine Tondelier quipped: “Did you like the fast track, blocked votes and 49-3? You will love the validation of the 64 years by the Constituted Council. and the rejection of the request for a split initiative referendum.” And to add: “Our institutions are increasingly disconnected from the aspirations of the French.” The president of the socialist deputies, Boris Vallaud, for his part “act” took note while affirming that “the crisis remains open” and that the request for withdrawal of the text remains.
For the communist Fabien Roussel, “promulgating within 48 hours would be a slap in the face, a provocation against the people who have been demonstrating for months and months”, he declared on BFMTV, while Emmanuel Macron’s cabinet made know that the text would be promulgated in the coming days. The elected official also called on the French “to be as many as possible on May 1”.
The deputy (Liot) Charles de Courson, who particularly distinguished himself during the debates, also considered that the decision posed “a fundamental problem”. The Constitutional Council “reinforces the powers which are already exorbitant in favor of the executive and to the detriment of Parliament”, he formulated.
On the side of the National Rally, Marine Le Pen recognized that this decision put an end to “the institutional sequence”. But “the political fate of the pension reform is not sealed.” “The people always having the last word, it will be up to them to prepare the alternation which will come back to this useless and unjust reform”, she further indicated. A press release was also issued, indicating that “it is now by their vote that the French will be able to reverse this unjust and useless reform”. “When Marine Le Pen comes to power, one of her first measures will be to put in place a progressive, fair and financially sustainable pension system”, it is written.
The Republicans, on the other hand, called for “accepting” the decision and “finding themselves in the respect due to our institutions”. In a press release, the president of the party, Éric Ciotti, also evokes “the errors of the method of the government”, sanctioned by the Elders. The deputy also calls for “urgently” “finding a course and a vision for the future”.