On Thursday, the attempt by La France insoumise (LFI) and the National Rally (RN) to repeal the 2023 pension reform failed in the face of obstruction from the presidential camp. Despite a majority in favor of repeal in the chamber, hundreds of amendments tabled by the Macronist coalition prevented a vote before the end of the debates at midnight.
Mathilde Panot, president of the LFI group, denounced “a finished macronie” and promised an offensive next week. “The first vote to really repeal the reform will be next Wednesday, with the censure which will make it possible to bring down the Barnier government and cancel this retirement at 64,” she declared. Marine Le Pen also criticized “the obstructionist maneuvers” of the majority, but criticized the left for not having supported a similar proposal from the RN in October, denouncing “pure sectarianism”.
A symbolic victory
Despite the absence of a final vote, opponents of the reform won a symbolic victory by rejecting, by 241 votes to 100, amendments aimed at emptying the text of its substance. “There is a majority in the Assembly and in the country for repeal,” rejoiced Clémence Guetté, LFI deputy.
The day was marked by heated debates, with repeated points of order and several session suspensions. The most notable incident occurred in the evening, when MoDem deputy Nicolas Turquois accused a socialist of not denouncing the threats received by his family. “My family was threatened! And these are people from your village! », he is said to have said, before leaving the hemicycle under the supervision of ushers.
Similar tactics in 2023
Faced with accusations of obstruction, Budget Minister Laurent Saint-Martin recalled that the left had itself used similar tactics in 2023 to block the initial reform. “You wanted to prevent votes at the time, with 19,000 amendments tabled. Today, you criticize a few hundred amendments? “, he retorted.
LFI and the RN are now turning to the motion of censure planned for next Wednesday. If the government uses Article 49.3 to pass the Social Security budget without a vote, a coalition of opponents could overthrow the government. “What is certain is that this reform will be repealed, the question is just to know when,” said Ugo Bernalicis, rapporteur of the text.
