"It is not tolerable that a few hundred people block the country and spoil the French holidays after two years of Covid", plant Emmanuel Macron at the opening of the Council of Ministers.
Four days before Christmas, the members of the government who hoped to end 2022 on a positive note from their boss in the Ambassadors' lounge are a little unsatisfied.
"He wasn't angry at all, but the focus was very clear," said one participant.
When another reports a tasty anecdote when the agenda is presented: a dozen bills, ordinances and decrees.
“We are really a country that makes laws for everything, even to move a glass!
he grumbles…moving the glass in front of him.
The object of this mood?
The strike of SNCF controllers which penalizes hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers during the holidays.
And the fed up of public opinion which, inevitably, indirectly reflects on the back of the executive... even if the conflict opposes above all the management of the SNCF and a collective of employees independent of the unions which emerged these last few days to demand wage increases.
Nevertheless, "the government must not be an observer of social conflicts and must continue to mobilize", enjoined the Head of State in front of his troops.
"The whole government is fully mobilized"
Clearly, stay on deck, “show our empathy for those who are struggling and also that we are trying to put pressure to get out of this crisis”, deciphers a ministerial adviser.
Government spokesperson Olivier Véran immediately took it upon himself to do this at a press conference: “The entire government is fully mobilized (…) We invite those who have announced that they want to go on strike to give it up, to allow French people who are absolutely not responsible for anything to enjoy the Christmas holidays with their families”.
VIDEO.
SNCF: Olivier Véran asks the strikers "to give up"
But beyond the injunctions, what to do?
“We are not going to lie to each other, the room for maneuver is low”, recognizes a minister, who does not fail to charge the SNCF in this story: “The management clearly lacked anticipation”.
Since November, the public company has struggled to establish a dialogue with this collective of controllers, which rejects any acquaintance with the unions.
Everyone now hopes for the resumption of discussions between the two parties to try to save, at least, the weekend of December 31.
“For Christmas, we already know that it's folded … unfortunately”, explains a majority executive, in complete disarray.
This Thursday, in the Council of Ministers, Emmanuel Macron nevertheless asked his government to think about alternative tools for the future, just to no longer find himself confronted with this kind of strike which even escapes the unions.
An announcement that surprised Matignon, not taken into confidence before.
"We could imagine training systems for executives who would take over from the strikers when the latter come from unprepared and undeclared movements", thinks a government source.
Elisabeth Borne on the bridge
In short, enough to occupy the Prime Minister during the holidays.
“Anyway, she very rarely takes vacations,” quips a relative.
An aspect that did not escape the president a few moments later when he decorated her with the insignia of Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit, for her six months of service at Matignon.
“For you, the recipe for balance is half work and half work.
Your remedy for fatigue, still work”, he launched during a ceremony organized in a salon of the Élysée.
"A sober moment, in his image", says a witness.
What Macron wanted to sum up with this formula: "Your discretion, your modesty, makes your elegance".
