"An insult to the French": the use of 49.3 by Elisabeth Borne divides the population

Wilfried Devillers and Jean-Luc Boujon, edited by Alexandre Dalifard 20:34 pm, March 16, 2023

A France divided? On Thursday, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne used article 49.3 to pass the pension reform in the National Assembly. A decision that gave rise to a strong protest among the opposition but also among the French. Opponents were quick to express their discontent and their desire to continue their mobilization against the reform. Marine Le Pen has announced that she will table a motion of censure. Citizens quickly gathered at Place de la Concorde in Paris, in front of the Assembly, to protest after the announcement of the activation of 49.3. The French therefore shout their anger in the street, but outside the processions, this use of the lever does not leave indifferent either.

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"Lamentable"

At the Gare Saint-Lazare in Paris, 49.3 pops up in many out-of-office conversations. This is the case of Catherine and her two friends who are standing up against this passage in force. "To pass the article, especially for retirement, for our future generation, I find it lamentable. To continue like this, they push the country towards people who will vote far right, or who will not vote at all," she said.

"A measure that twists the neck of democracy," slipped a person at the microphone of Europe 1. A vision shared by Marion. "It's such an insult to the people who are mobilizing. Olivier Véran promised us on Sunday that the government would not use 49.3. And there, as always, as soon as they are a little cornered, they make the choice of forcing with this article. There is a consensus against them," laments this Parisian.

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"Rather positive"

David, on the other hand, is more measured and even in favor of such a tool. "I don't know if it's a good idea, because it's not necessarily the most democratic procedure. But on the other hand, I believe that despite everything, we must move things forward. If we elected a president with a strategy, a policy, that he had announced and that he wants to apply, for once, I find it rather positive, "he said at the microphone of Europe 1. 49.3 is therefore a way to circumvent the obstruction for David, but especially for most of the interviewees, a real denial of democracy.

>> READ ALSO - Pension reform: the inter-union calls for a ninth day of mobilization on Thursday

"A passage in force"

In the Rhône, the anger of the strikers is felt. In Reventin Vaugris, a hundred demonstrators decided to empty the lock, making navigation impossible. These strikers thought, deep down, that Elisabeth Borne would eventually come to her senses, by noting that most of the country was opposed to this reform. But this was not the case, which aroused the anger of Delphine Peyron, CGT delegate of the CNR, the National Company of the Rhône. "It is still a provocation because we praise the merit of a democratic country. Today, this is no longer the case since the people do not agree with this reform and we are once again using a passage in force, "she laments. "This government is not listening to the street. There were eight mobilizations with a significant number of demonstrators in the streets. I don't understand," wonders Delphine Peyron.

A coup de force, a provocation that only strengthens the determination of the strikers in Reventin Vaugris. Kevin, a technical officer on strike, believes that the France is no longer a managed democracy. "I would even say a monarchy. They decide for them, to the detriment of the people and it can only annoy. I am more motivated than ever. I had things planned for this weekend and in the end I will stay there. We will stay strong and we no longer count the hours. If we have to have payslips at zero, we will have payslips at zero. We will hit our economies unfortunately, but we will be there until the end, "he says at the microphone of Europe 1. The strikers will therefore take turns to continue blocking the lock on the Rhône, which prevents any navigation on the river and also any production of electricity.