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French pension reform: On the eve of the vote, demonstrators oscillate between rage and resignation [1]

['Thibaud Métais', "Le Monde'S Correspondents"]

Date: 2023-03-16

Long ReadOn Wednesday, during the eighth day of protests, there were fewer demonstrators, with the bill arriving at the Sénat and Assemblée Nationale on Thursday for final votes.

Rage and resignation. The hearts and minds of the demonstrators were clearly alternating between these two feelings on Wednesday, March 15, the eighth day of protests against the French pension reform. After two months, fatigue is setting in, and, as expected, the marches continue to dwindle, far short of the crowds in late January. In Paris, the police counted 37,000 demonstrators, while the CGT union claimed 450,000.

Outside of Paris, the numbers bounced back somewhat after Saturday, March 11, but fell short of the records of March 7. There were between 3,000 and 12,000 protesters in Nice, half as many as a week ago. The situation was similar in Le Havre (5,600 to 30,000), Perpignan (4,500 to 10,000), Strasbourg (4,100 to 10,000), Saint-Etienne (3,750 to 15,000) and Tarbes (3,600 to 9,000). The differences between the figures of the authorities and the unions are increasing, for example in Nantes, where the official count was unchanged at 13,000, while the organizers counted 35,000, and in Marseille (7,000 according to the police, 160,000 claimed by the CGT).

Read more How are demonstrators counted in France?

The main protests against the pension reform Based on reports from authorities, unions, and the regional press, Le Monde is tracking the number of demonstrators across France, on March 15th. The map is updated throughout the day. Numbers from press reports are not displayed as circles in cities where police and the unions have provided their own counts. The (non-exhaustive) details of the collected data can be found by clicking on the cities. Sources: local press, 'Le Monde' count

In the capital, opponents of the government's project had decided to make themselves heard by the MPs and senators who had been meeting in the joint committee since the morning, gathering at Place des Invalides, a few steps from the Assemblée Nationale. After the parliamentarians agreed on a common text in the afternoon, the unions wanted to maintain the pressure before the formal vote on Thursday. And the eight main employee organizations warned about the possible use of Article 49.3 to force the reform through without a vote.

'A trainwreck from start to finish'

"It would be a democratic failure," said Laurent Berger, before the procession started. For the secretary general of the CFDT, "the vote is the only way out" of a reform "that has been a trainwreck from start to finish." His counterpart at the more radical CGT, Philippe Martinez, also pointed out that "forcing the passage would lead to a real democratic problem" and could result in major social unrest. He further warned, "anger is often a bad advisor, especially at the electoral level."

The end of the parliamentary process also means that the protest movement will enter a new phase, regardless of Thursday's outcome.

Demonstrators taking time off from a protest against the pension reform, in Metz, France, on March 15, 2023. NICOLAS LEBLANC / ITEM FOR "LE MONDE"

In Paris, Mélanie, 35, and Manuel, 50, say they have participated in all but one of the demonstrations. If the reform is adopted, these two teachers from Val-d'Oise say they will have to find other forms of action. "We plan to continue to show opposition and protest," Manuel said. Mélanie is organizing general rallies for a demonstration on Friday. "If the reform is passed, we must remain united. We must continue to build bridges."

Not all demonstrators show the same spirit of sacrifice. Frédéric, a 43-year-old railway worker, is weary. After the long protest in 2019 against the universal plan, the government's inflexibility on this reform leaves him resigned. "I'm still here today because I can't give up," he explained. "But, frankly, what's the point? We are facing a power that doesn't care about our demonstrations." Seeing a sign further on, hailing the striking Paris garbage collectors, Frederic was regretful. "When you see how they piss everyone off with the garbage, you ask yourself if maybe we should have taken a tougher approach from the start."

'Macron is sitting on my vote'

Despite the resignation, the struggle is not over, many demonstrators claim. Véronique, 61, retired as a nurse in July 2021 with 168 quarters of contributions. This was her first demonstration: "You know, I'm very busy in retirement, with volunteering, yoga, sculpture, my children." She came to make an appearance and said she will continue to demonstrate. Camille, an employee at a car dealership, no longer believes in victory but is not giving up. "I've been very angry for the past two months," said Camille, who is in her 30s. "I voted for Macron in the second round to block [Marine Le Pen]. And today he's sitting on my vote and the votes of thousands like me. We won't forget."

Véronique, who retired as a nurse in July 2021, at Place des Invalides in Paris. March 15, 2023. JULIEN DANIEL / MYOP FOR “LE MONDE”

In Metz (northeastern France), Louise, an extracurricular activity leader; Suzanne, a student; and Antoine, a teacher, stood out among the 10,000 demonstrators, with their signs on climate and the wealth of billionaires. Aged between 24 and 27, they will continue to protest if the reform is passed, even if it means becoming more radical. "And if we have to end up throwing cobblestones to be heard, we'll do it," they declared. "What the government is proposing is unfair and sexist. And there are other priorities, starting with the environment."

Louise, an extracurricular activity leader; Suzanne, an executive assistant; and Antoine, a teacher, demonstrating against the pension reform in Metz, France, on March 15, 2023 NICOLAS LEBLANC / ITEM FOR "LE MONDE"

Behind them, EDF employees were as determined as ever. They work for a power utility that operates all over France, or for the nearby nuclear power plant in Cattenom. "I've been on shift work there for 31 years, so I'm pretty fed up. Today, in protest, the drop in power is significant. And if they don't listen, it will be even worse," threatened one of them. "We work all year round in noise, heat, with risks from chemicals and radiation. We won't let our best years of retirement be stolen," added another. Alongside them, employees who blockaded the Blénod-lès-Pont-à-Mousson power station on Tuesday said they are ready to do it again. On the fringe of the Metz demonstration, there were campaigns just about everywhere. For the second time, waste collection could not be organized throughout the metropolis, as an inter-union group blockaded the industrial center. A few kilometers from Metz, the blast furnace at the Saint-Gobain plant in Pont-à-Mousson was shut down.

'Stopping this race to the bottom'

In the Marseille march, many showed the same determination to not give up. "We mustn't give up until Thursday," Marcel said firmly. "And if the MPs pass the reform, we'll use every means available to stop this leveling down of pensions." On strike since the beginning of the protest, he said he has sacrificed €4,500 in pay since January. "But I know we have to go through with this," he argued at the wheel of one of the 60 Enedis and GRDF power utility service vehicles that led the parade with their sirens wailing. "We must continue the fight even if the reform is passed. But the government needs to understand that if it forces it through with Article 49.3, the gloves will be off," warned Olivier Mateu, union secretary for the district.

Read more French pension reform: Trade unions fill up war chests to support strikers

In the late afternoon, as the Paris demonstration was coming to an end, Elisabeth Borne welcomed the agreement reached in the joint committee by the MPs and senators. "This compromise is a response to the demand of the people for solutions for the country," she tweeted. Labor Minister Olivier Dussopt also welcomed the agreement. "We will be at the Sénat and the Assemblée Nationale to ratify these decisions," he said.

First, however, all the union leaders have already announced that they will demonstrate in front of the Assemblée Nationale on Thursday morning to voice their opinion and press the MPs one last time not to pass the reform.

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Students in the demonstration against the pension reform bill, on Boulevard des Invalides in Paris on March 15, 2023. JULIEN DANIEL / MYOP FOR "LE MONDE"

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[1] Url: https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2023/03/16/french-pension-reform-on-the-eve-of-the-vote-demonstrators-oscilate-between-rage-and-resignation_6019544_5.html

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