Confused country, ministers instructed to “Not show up unless necessary”

French Labor Minister Dussopt made a statement to French public radio France Inter about the demonstrations against the pension reform.

Noting that security forces are heavily organized on the streets, Dussopt said they have been “instructed not to show up unless necessary.”

“We have been asked to go out in public only when necessary.” Using the expression, the French minister pointed out that priority was given to the task of enforcing the law.

Dussopt, who did not comment on whether the order came from President Emmanuel Macron or Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, said police had exhausted themselves after fighting violence for hours.

Dussopt criticized the opposition, which reacted to the government’s decision to approve the pension reform on the basis of an article of the Constitution without putting it to a vote in Parliament, saying that this article had also been introduced by previous governments.

“WE ARE NOT PLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH THE REFORM”

Stating that the bill was accepted after four months of consultation with the unions and 175 hours of discussion in Parliament, the French Minister said: “We are not playing Russian roulette with such a reform. We have done our best to bring it to a vote in the National Assembly. This article (49/3) has been used 100 times in our history.” saying.

The demonstrations that broke out on March 16, after the government’s decision to approve the bill that raises the retirement age by 2 years, without a vote, continue in France. Violence is taking place in many parts of the country between the police and protesters, who have violently intervened in the demonstrations.

The day before, 457 people were arrested in demonstrations across the country. (AA)