This Tuesday, May 2, 2023, the unions welcome the figures for the mobilization for Workers’ Day. On May 1, nearly 2.3 million people demonstrated throughout France, according to the CGT; 782,000 according to the authorities. Several weeks after the promulgation of the pension reform, the challenge does not weaken. This thirteenth day of demonstrations is one of those that have mobilized the most since the start of the movement on January 19.

However, the government has shown no sign of backtracking, with the withdrawal of the text not being on the agenda. The executive’s direction is clear: “100 days of appeasement” and “action”, new projects to turn the page on pension reform. Emmanuel Macron has set the deadline for the government of Elisabeth Borne on July 14 for “a first assessment”.

While the application of the pension reform is set for September 1, 2023, the oppositions and the unions are not losing hope. “The mobilization must continue because I do not believe in Santa Claus […] there must be a balance of power in the country which is maintained”, declared Sophie Binet, general secretary of the CGT, on TF1 /LCI.

For his part, Jean-Luc Mélenchon declared: “Do not give in. Do not be domesticated whatever the cost. If you are rebellious, be it until the end. The fight continues until the withdrawal”, reports BFMTV.

How does the opposition intend to prevent the application of the pension reform on September 1? What are the next key dates in the fight against the decried piece of legislation?