The controversial pension reform has also left a mark on President Macron’s image. ‘He already looks technocratic and distant’, says French specialist Niek Pas. “The French think he’s a cold frog.”

Last night, the French parliament voted a vote of no confidence after Macron’s government pushed through a controversial pension reform without parliament’s approval. But it didn’t work. “France’s anger is now mainly directed at Macron himself, not at his government,” said BNR Europe correspondent Stefan de Vries. “So he really has an image problem now.”

Read also | The controversial pension reform is now a reality in France

Bright spot

But De Vries also saw a bright spot: ‘The pension reform is part of an archive that has sat on the desk of the French president for thirty years. No president has managed to change anything. But now.’

The president must use Article 49.3 of the French constitution for that. It states that the government can ratify laws without parliamentary approval, provided it survives a vote of no confidence. It is a controversial article. That is why the French are now flocking to the streets and are now rioting and protesting again.’

Angry

According to French historian and specialist Niek Pas, the French were outraged by the sacred status of retirement in France. “For many French, retirement is an achievement, the crown jewel of a system of solidarity and welfare,” he said. “It’s a pay-as-you-go system where young people work for their parents’ pension.”

But according to Macron, the system is not sustainable. As France’s population ages, it becomes more expensive to fund all pensions on a pay-as-you-go basis. “And the pension system in France is already very low,” says De Vries. ‘The average French pension is 1200 euros. In the Netherlands it costs 3,000 euros, because we are also saving for that.’

Read also | The French government survived a vote of no confidence over the pension program

No water with wine

Although Macron therefore deemed the reforms necessary, at least 70 percent of French people strongly disagreed. “Therefore, the question is how he will reconnect with the population,” said Pas. Knowing Macron, he will explain exactly what he wants to do. He has clearly demonstrated: here it is, no referendum, no way out, no water with wine. But still he has to find a way to make contact.’

“I think Macron will try to convince the older population of the benefits of reform,” said De Vries. This is purely to reassure supporters, but little will change in terms of content and politics. At least it is clear that the little popularity that Macron still had is now completely gone.