A special committee of the National Assembly begins work on Monday on the pension reform project. In total, more than 20,000 amendments have been tabled: a record for this legislature. But not enough to discourage President Richard Ferrand, who ensures that all the necessary time will be mobilized to complete the examination of this text.
Over 20,000 amendments have been tabled. How are you going to manage such a mass?
RICHARD FERRAND. Of the 22,160 amendments tabled, 19,713 come from the France insoumise group, whose president had announced his desire to obstruct. He therefore implements it. We have already had debates with thousands of amendments, but they have always succeeded. The committee has until next Friday to finish its work, on the government bill and on the amendments tabled by the deputies. If it proves necessary, it will continue its work all next weekend. From February 17, the Assembly will debate the text and the amendments in public session before the text goes to the Senate.
Does France Insoumise, like any other political group, have the power to block the vote on the reform?
Blocking power no, but obstruction and slowing down yes. Of the 19,713 amendments tabled by La France insoumise, 16,000 are almost identical. This proves that these are more repetition exercises than imagination exercises. We will use all the time necessary to complete the examination of this text. Democracy has everything to gain from a quality debate. Obstruction does nothing. There would be artificial obstacles to the debate. Parliamentary work must be calm, intelligible and first of all answer the questions that the French ask themselves to allow a good understanding of the concrete effects of the text under discussion.
But how will you do since the duration of the debate is limited to two weeks?
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If the discussions have to be prolonged, we will see when the time comes to reorganize the timetable. I will especially and personally ensure that the debate takes place in conditions which allow serious work. We will advance gradually but we will advance.
Does the President of the Assembly have the power to sanction in the event of obstruction?
In a democracy, only the vote of citizens during elections can sanction political action. I am convinced that on such a serious subject, everyone must ensure that the debates take place democratically, respectfully and with dignity so that the different points of view are understandable by all.
Do you think you will meet the government's target of a vote by the end of June?
He opted for a procedure which provides, after examination by the Senate, for the meeting of a joint joint committee between the two assemblies. This CMP can either vote on the text or, if it fails, send it back to the chambers for a new reading. This essential subject should have been dealt with before the summer.
Will the work undertaken in the hemicycle prevent this agenda from being kept?
Security and renovation works will take place between July and the end of September. The Assembly will not be closed! Commissions, monitoring and evaluation missions will not be on vacation! Finally, the senatorial elections in September impact the parliamentary calendar until October. It is therefore particularly advisable to carry out the necessary work on the roof of the hemicycle during this period.
The President of the Senate considers that voting a text whose examination by the Funding Conference has not been completed is useless. What do you think ?
Pension funding is only part of the bill! This is a societal project intended to overhaul the social pact linked to pensions. The stake is vast. It is a question of building a system where one euro contributed brings the same thing to everyone, where one can leave at 64 years full rate whereas today more than 20% of the French must work until 67 years to fulfill this condition. It is a reform of redistribution, justice and not just funding rules. The Prime Minister was very clear: it is up to the social partners to propose alternatives to the pivotal age. So I hope that all the participants in the fundraising conference are sincerely mobilized to succeed together. It is up to them to make it a success for everyone! The credibility of social dialogue and our social democracy is at stake: it is their heavy responsibility.
The direction of the debates promises to be a real challenge for the President of the National Assembly?
I am a will optimist. This challenge is one for each of the 577 deputies and for the Assembly so that the French can form an informed opinion in the light of the debates. They will be carried out with respect for all political groups and I will watch over them. Everyone has to rise to the challenge!
