Automatically translated from Basque, translation may contain errors. More information here. Elhuyarren itzultzaile automatikoaren logoa

Macron passes the reform but citizens are not willing to give in

  • 23,000 people have met in Baiona, according to the trade unions, and, generally, a lot of significant people have met in all demonstrations, which in Paris are 800,000, according to the CGT. The tone is getting tougher on the part of the demonstrators, and blockades and barricades are increasing in recent days. Despite the reform, anger remains on the street. It remains to be seen how the movement reacts if the government and Emmanuel Macron continue to give up.

23 March 2023 - 16:59
Last updated: 2023-03-24 09:16
Zarata mediatikoz beteriko garai nahasiotan, merkatu logiketatik urrun eta irakurleengandik gertu dagoen kazetaritza beharrezkoa dela uste baduzu, ARGIA bultzatzera animatu nahi zaitugu. Geroz eta gehiago gara, jarrai dezagun txikitik eragiten.

The ninth day of strike has been massive and it has become clear that, despite the reform, people are not going to stay at home. The complaint was evident on the streets of Baiona, and it can be said that both reform and authoritarian action and contempt of the French Government. The banners on the age of portraits, although the majority were about the use of Article 49.3 or the denial of the democratic path.

A demonstrator from Baiona with a banner on article 49.3 and the motion of censure. Photo: Jenofa Berhokoirigoin.

As regards reform of the lines, the French Government has, from the outset, abandoned the path of dialogue, and this attitude has done nothing but blame the anger, because that character is not new to Emmanuel Macron. January 19 was the first day of strike, but from the beginning the government has been very attentive to the contributions of the unions, and despite being the most massive mobilizations in recent years, it has not wanted to hear the message from the streets.

Then it has also come to Parliament without a vote, that Article 49.3 of the Constitution has passed the reform, an unbeatable element to break the anger. Finally, the fact that on 20 March the motion of censure did not accept any consideration in accepting any adjustment has increased the sense of contempt among the public. It took 287 votes to vote for the government and the motion of the centrist group LIOT received 278 votes. The government has not fallen by nine votes, which clearly shows us that Emmanuel Macron’s environment is increasingly isolated.

But despite everything, Macron continues his relationship. He spoke on 22 March, through a dialogue through the TF1 and France 2 channels: "Between the polls and the interest of the people, I choose the interest of the people, and no matter if I have to bear the burden of disfame." In the end, it has nothing to lose: following French law cannot do more than two mandates, that is, Macron cannot re-introduce himself and appears to be indifferent to citizenship with his back and isolation.

Hardening responses: locks and barricades

The unions remain united and the sequence of the movement remains to be seen. This 23rd March, many people gathered in different cities, 800,000 protesters in Paris this afternoon, according to the CGT union. In Baiona, 23,000 people have gathered, according to the organizers, and followed the count of 9,000 policemen. The passage of the reform and the use of Article 49.3 has ignited fire and since then there have been effective barricades in several French cities. In contrast to what has happened so far, there have also been fires and launches of objects for police.

In Paris they have the most intense street struggles, and the most violent repression. This 23 March the atmosphere is still very hot:

The blockade strategy also has its place, and since 20 March, after the reform without a vote, they have blocked motorways, transport services and other strategic points.

As in last fall, oil refineries have the most important blocking power. They went on strike at the weekend, four of the seven refineries have stopped, and there is already a feeling of scarcity and concern on the part of the government. But also there, the government can activate the recurrence procedure, directing the reinstatement mandate of some strikers.

 


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