Pension reform: 'If the unions and the left are united, it's because Marine Le Pen is on everyone's mind'
Le Monde.frJan 18, 2023
French labor unions are staging a second wave of strikes and protests over President Emmanuel Macron's plan to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64.
On Tuesday, thousands of workers in the transportation, education, and energy sectors went on strike throughout France. Local buses, trains, and trams were "very significantly disrupted," per rail operators.
The determination and spirit shown by the unions and the left-leaning parties are not just an ideological attack against Macron's policies, but also a preemptive strike against the threat of Marine Le Pen's far-right politics. The risk of regressive politics is on everyone's mind, and to fight against such danger through strikes and protests is no longer a moral struggle but a moral obligation.
While the central parties, with the help of the left, seek to use the strikes to put undo pressure on the government, there’s no guarantee of success. Much depends on whether the unions will decide to follow up on their protests. However, history is an important guide and former Pres. Sarkozy didn't cave when the age was raised to 62. Macron shows no signs he would change course either.