Pensions the project of the Government on lesechos

If the safe summer offensive was intended to divert the spotlight of the WoerthBettencourt case to save the pension reform, the operation was not successful. The week that opens looks even as the more uncertain that was to face Nicolas Sarkozy since the beginning of its quinquennium. Union mobilization promises to be a mass day of action on pensions scheduled tomorrow (read page 3), after, more importantly, two days of social security turmoil (Saturday) and in the colleges and schools (today).

The parliamentary debate that opens at the same time will be much easier: the Minister of labour is weakened, the majority of the full doubt about 700 amendments were deposited, including 360 by a requinquée left. The pension reform which was complete with maestria reform action of the quinquennium Sarkozy appears today that must be saved at all costs to hope to resume later in the breath for 2012. The word "legislative pause" employed by the head of State to set its last step before the presidential election has eloquently disappeared élyséen vocabulary. Twice yesterday, Claude Guéant, Secretary General of the Elysee Palace, said on Europe 1 that "there are still many reforms and innovations to make" (see opposite).

Turn the page with the least possible damage, such is the objective of the Executive, which develops a strategy determination and flexibility. The deposit is always to support Eric Woerth despite repeated - perhaps is it too late to do otherwise. "Eric Woerth, who has prepared reform and knows the record better than anyone, is quite able to defend" assured Claude Guéant yesterday. But, in reality, François Fillon is widely called to the rescue: it will be the main guest of the show "has you try" Thursday on France 2 devoted to pensions.

Other fronts defused

The hardiesses of some members of the majority are also minimized. It is the platform published Saturday in "Le Figaro" by Jean-François Copé, François Baroin, Bruno Le Maire, and Christian Jacob (see page 15). "It is an act of allegiance", wanted to see Claude Guéant yesterday, even if the four questioning engaged in a barely veiled governance Sarkozy critique.

On the merits, the Government continues, polls to support, to build on the "wisdom" of the French, who would have understood that the retirement at the age of 62 had become inevitable. All have also been to defuse other potential fronts (that of the students with housing assistance) and to show that dialogue remained open on parallel records: "Eric Woerth will make additional proposals to the unions in the coming days," including on the arduous nature, said Claude Guéant yesterday.

Firmness on the merits

These actions, which will also cover the polypensionnés and long careers, will be amendments tabled during the debate in the National Assembly. The magnitude will depend in part on the level of mobilization tomorrow, but the Elysee Palace remains firm on the merits: no question, indicates the entourage of the head of State, to make concessions questioning the financial equilibrium of the reform or likely to be interpreted as a political setback. As the Executive knows that he has no chance, unlike 2003, to extract this time above the official support of the CFDT.

The Inter-Union will meet Wednesday to fix the result of the movement. The Government expects one or more other days of action by the end of the consideration of the text in the Senate, late October, but the loss of progressive speed of the conflict and the resignation of employees. The progressive resumption of activity and the calm of the unemployment should allow, analysis, reduce tensions arising from the crisis in companies. The actions which will be announced the next few days could also, failure to break her, driving a wedge into trade union unity between the reformers and dissenters.

Pensions: the project of the Government on lesechos.fr/dossierlesechos.fr/dossier