Emmanuel Macron stays straight in his boots.
At the end of a press conference organized in Brussels and devoted to the energy sovereignty of the European Union, the Head of State returned to the ninth day of mobilization on Thursday 23 March.
Asked about the violence that punctuated this new challenge to the pension reform, the president hammered home a message: “
We will not give in to violence
”.
The answer is therefore clear.
While the left points to the growing tensions in the processions to call on the executive to withdraw its text, the executive does not let go.
"
In a democracy, we do not have the right to violence
", repeated Emmanuel Macron, citing the "
scenes where many of our police and gendarmes were the object of totally disproportionate attacks from extraordinarily violent militants and equipped
.
Read also Pensions: between “red lines” and argument to put pressure on the executive, the political class reacts to violence
The president at the same time gave his support to the police, associating it with "
a requirement
" as to respect for the ethics of the latter.
But his attention is mainly focused on the excesses observed, and in the face of which he retains "
the greatest firmness
".
"
I call on everyone to take responsibility and I assure our support of the police who have done an exemplary job
," he said.
Macron hails Berger's "responsibility"
It is also in this context that the Head of State returned to the postponement of the visit of the King of England, Charles III, initially scheduled for Sunday evening.
Guided by "
common sense and friendship
", the tenant of the Elysee Palace explained that he telephoned the monarch on Friday morning to inform him of his decision and thus avoid any "
incident
".
Due to the new day of demonstration scheduled for Tuesday March 28, "
we would not be serious and we would lack a certain common sense to propose to his majesty to come for a state visit in the middle of the demonstration
", s' is justified Emmanuel Macron.
A next meeting will be fixed "
when calm returns
", perhaps "
at the beginning of the summer according to our respective agendas
".
Until then, the president will attend the king's coronation ceremony, scheduled for May 6.
Emmanuel Macron also sent a message to union representatives.
Two days after having deplored that the latter - and in particular Laurent Berger - had not proposed a "
compromise
", the Head of State "
thanked
" the boss of the CFDT "
for his spirit of responsibility and his desire to 'appeasement that I share
'.
The president then indicated his “
availability
” to discuss with them.
Read alsoRetreats: the left mocks the postponement of the visit of Charles III
A few hours earlier, the union leader had indeed expressed his concern about the violence noted on Thursday.
But if Laurent Berger said he was open to discussion, he called for "
taking a break " in the pension reform before a "
drama
" occurs
.
However, for his part, Emmanuel Macron said he was "
totally available as well as the government to move forward
" on a list of very specific subjects, namely "
professional wear and tear, end of career, retraining, working conditions, remuneration in certain branches...
" As for the pension reform, this is "
before the Constitutional Council, and it is obvious that we will await the decision of the Constitutional Council
".