The calm before the storm ?
The Upper House has just adopted this Thursday morning the pension reform in a solemn vote, with 193 votes for, 114 against.
After the first favorable vote last week, the senators therefore validate the text resulting from the joint joint committee (CMP) which was held throughout the day on Wednesday.
A modified bill therefore, after a consensus between the right and the Macronist majority on several subjects such as long careers, the senior CDI or the premium for mothers.
And whose main measure remains the postponement of the legal retirement age to 64 years.
During the discussions preceding the vote, Olivier Dussopt welcomed the “
contradictory debate
” having taken place in the Senate, however regretting “
the methodical obstruction of the opposition
”.
“
We have witnessed a drift, less here than elsewhere
,” denounced the Minister of Labour, referring to the very numerous amendments tabled at first reading by the senators of the three left-wing groups.
For his part, Gabriel Attal thanked the senatorial majority for having "
respected
" his "
commitment
".
“The text submitted to you is also yours.
This pension reform is also that of the
Senate.
, congratulated the Minister of Public Accounts, emphasizing a “
patiently built political compromise
” and having enabled “
significant progress
”.
The National Assembly takes over this afternoon
Stung by the words of Olivier Dussopt, the socialist senator Monique Lubin responded with a very remarkable intervention.
“
We worked very seriously.
So yes Minister, we have used our right of amendment.
I do not see how we could have debated otherwise
, ”she said.
Before adding: “
We wanted to push you to your limits
”.
Then to ask: “
How are you going to repair this country that you are going to permanently fracture
?”
.
The text resulting from the joint committee and voted in the Senate will be presented this afternoon to the deputies, in the National Assembly, before a solemn vote.
The political deal is quite different in the Lower House, where the outcome of the vote remains very uncertain.
The presidential camp, which only has a relative majority in the Palais Bourbon, already has a few defections, and its allies on the right are not all in battle order - around twenty could vote against.
In recent days, while many believe that recourse to article 49-3 is inevitable to have the text adopted without a vote by the deputies, the President of the Republic and his government have on various occasions expressed their desire to go to the ballot .
Again this morning, during a meeting at the Élysée, Emmanuel Macron reiterated his wish to avoid 49-3.
However, he will convene a new meeting at noon to assess his majority before the vote in the Lower House.
At the National Assembly, discussions will begin at 3 p.m.
And the suspense remains...
