“We are neither pessimistic nor optimistic. We're going to work and we're going to see what happens. But at this stage, it would be very difficult to make predictions. » Asked about the possibility of an agreement on the budget, the first secretary of the PS, Olivier Faure, did not show disproportionate enthusiasm at the end of an interview lasting almost two hours in Bercy this Monday. But a sign that the dialogue is moving forward, the president of the socialist group in the Senate Patrick Kanner welcomed “a proposal for modification, for development of the retirement reform”.
The Ministers of Economy and Public Accounts have started discussions with the political parties represented in Parliament. Objective: a “compromise” budget that can be adopted in the National Assembly, where former Prime Minister Michel Barnier stumbled upon a motion of censure on December 4.
Éric Lombard “open to dialogue” on pensions
Before meeting the elected socialists, the Minister of the Economy Éric Lombard had judged on France Inter “possible convergences with the Socialist Party, but also with the Communist Party and with the Greens”. Éric Lombard said he was open to dialogue regarding pension reform, including the starting age of 64, provided it does not further deteriorate the financial equation of the system. But he warned that he would “not necessarily” align with the red lines of the leader of the deputies RN Marine Le Pen.
Olivier Faure wants to be firm while trying to remain open. “We want progress, that there be a fruitful dialogue” he declared while demanding “remarkable concessions” from the government and raising the threat of censorship.
The meetings are planned until Prime Minister François Bayrou's general policy declaration on January 14, with the hope of having a budget “in February”, according to Amélie de Montchalin.
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