DECRYPTION. Pension reform: why Michel Barnier will have to play the balance

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The new prime minister, in parallel with the constitution of the government, must think about the best way to manage the pensions file. A part of the left may indeed vote for the repeal text that the RN will present in its parliamentary niche on October 31.

With a fire hose under his arm, Michel Barnier settled in Matignon. A burning issue awaits him, that of pension reform. The fire caused by the passage of the law to 49.3 in March 2023 threatens to start again. On October 31, the National Rally will relaunch the debate thanks to its parliamentary niche in which Marine Le Pen's party will try to adopt a repeal text.

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A threat that so far did not worry the Macronist party because it had little chance of being supported by the left of the hemicycle. But for several weeks, within the New Popular Front, the lines have been moving. If certain deputies like Sandrine Rousseau ensure that it is excluded to mix their voices with those of the RN, others assume that they will do everything to repeal this text.

This is the case of Fabien Roussel: “When we say that we want to do everything for this unjust pension reform carried out behind the backs of the French to be repealed, we must be consistent and therefore we must do everything to make it so”. said the head of the communists at the Huma Festival. Some socialists would also be in this position, who have so far refused to vote for a text presented by the extreme right. “We have a responsibility to our voters. It's a shame if it's a text of the RN, we have to repeal the pension reform regardless of the cost”, argued, for example, to Le Figaro, the socialist Pierrick Courbon.

11% of the French support the text

For the new prime minister, there is therefore an urgent need for action, especially since in June of last year, the voters, whether they voted for the RN or the NFP, also spoke out against the reform desired by Emmanuel Macron. In an Elabe poll for BFMTV published on Wednesday, it appears that only 11% of French people support the text. The parliamentary debate could therefore rekindle anger unless a response is provided beforehand.

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But which one, knowing that Emmanuel Macron has just chosen a prime minister in line with his reform? “The president's first choice was Laurent Berger [ancien leader de la CFDT NDLR]but the latter told him that he had a problem with the pension reform. He then turned to Bernard Cazeneuve, who also argued that something must be done about pensions,” a person close to the two candidates tells us.

Michel Barnier will receive 28,370 euros

Aware that the status quo is impossible, Michel Barnier, who defended retirement at 65 in the 2022 LR nomination campaign, recently said he was ready to “open the debate” on “improving it for the most vulnerable people “. . A deputy from the former majority and specialist in the matter assumes that he does not know more: “Does he want to strengthen the small pensions? To improve the aspect of hardship?”, asks Marc Ferracci.

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This close friend of Emmanuel Macron admits that the RN niche risks reviving the debate, but remains confident: “we are constant, we will explain that we cannot retire at the same age as life expectancy has increased. He adds: “Furthermore, there are many people who have benefited from this reform, they will not appreciate having to return the money.” Will it be enough to put out the fire?

However, the revelation on Monday, September 16, of the €28,370 a month Michel Barnier will receive in retirement when Matignon leaves risks adding fuel to the fire.

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