The ultra-sensitive pension reform is approaching.
Speech by Elisabeth Borne.
In front of her troops, the Prime Minister reaffirmed on Tuesday her desire to carry out this project this winter, according to a precise timetable: the outlines of the reform adopted by mid-December, the bill presented and debated in Parliament at the start of year 2023.
“The relative majority does not lead us to be prevented from carrying out the reforms necessary for the country”,
declared the head of government to the deputies of the presidential camp, gathered in the National Assembly.
She wanted to insist:
"If we don't act, this system is sinking into deficits and calling the system into question."
The objective remains an entry into force next summer.
For the time being, the government is maintaining the horizons set by Emmanuel Macron.
That is to say a postponement of the legal age by four months per year - postponed to 63 years old in 2025, 64 years old in 2028 and 65 years old in 2031. This is the
"roadmap"
, the government spokesperson recalled on Tuesday, Olivier Véran, in his report of the Council of Ministers.
“Which does not mean that the consultation will not be useful, necessary, and that it cannot change things”
, he underlined.
Read alsoThe Senate votes on its pension reform at 64
The executive still relies on ongoing negotiations with the social partners.
After having discussed with them the consensual subjects of hardship, employment of seniors and social justice, the government must open a third round of discussions on Thursday.
At the center of the debates: the balance of the system and its financing.
That is to say the explosive questions of the retirement age and the extension of the contribution period.
“The consultation continues”
, insists the office of the Minister of Labor, Olivier Dussopt, ensuring that no arbitration has been stopped to date.
The Head of State, who defends a reform necessary to
"preserve our social model"
, has already said he is ready to review his electoral promise.
On October 26, on France 2, he said he was
"open"
to a postponement of the starting age to 64, and not 65,
"in return"
an extension of the contribution period.
While claiming to wish to reform several special regimes - EDF, RATP and Banque de France would be concerned.
Ad hoc
bill
or amending text to the Social Security budget?
The debate promises to be lively in Parliament, including in the majority.
The philippists of Horizons want to postpone the legal age until 65 years.
As for the elected representatives of the left wing of Renaissance (ex-LREM) and the centrists of the Democratic Movement (MoDem), they intend to integrate a strong “social component” into the text.
Several of them say they are satisfied with the recent announcements on minimum retirement –
“around 85% of the minimum wage”
for a full career, more than the 1100 euros initially promised – and the marking of the savings made.
"The pension reform finances pensions and nothing else
," said Elisabeth Borne on Tuesday.
Without however raising all the points of vigilance in his camp.
Long careers, arduousness…
“We will have to correct the inequalities”
, warns Sacha Houlié, figure of the macronist left.
Concerned about a
“just reform”
, the deputy asked Olivier Dussopt, Minister of Labour, to
“clarify precisely how much the needs amount to and how much the measures would bring in”.
A way of defining the contours of the reform.
Read alsoRetirement age: why Macron's false concession could inflame the debate
As for the legislative method, it has not yet been decided at the top of the State.
Ad hoc
bill
or amending text to the Social Security budget?
In the event of a deadlock, this second option would save the government its unique "joker" of 49-3, which it can conversely use at will on budget bills.
But the use of this constitutional tool will not be useful, bet several executives of the presidential camp, some of the support of the Republicans (LR) on this reform.
It did not escape them that two of the three candidates for the presidency of the party, the deputy Éric Ciotti and the senator Bruno Retailleau, recently said they were ready to vote in favor of a postponement of the legal age.
Several macronists saw it as an encouraging green light, amid strong protests from the unions, the left and the National Rally (RN).
