Demonstrations of March 23: a “decisive” and high-risk day – Pension reform

Blockages, fires, damage, clashes, wild demonstrations… Was Emmanuel Macron’s televised intervention able to appease demonstrators and rebels? “It will be complicated”, confides a Breton police officer without illusions.

“Now beyond the pension reform”

“For the mobilization, Thursday will be a decisive day,” he continues. Either it’s a tidal wave and the movement will be long-lasting, or, on the contrary, the erosion observed last week will continue. Maybe people will resign themselves, or they will give up for fear of radicalization. The problem that arises is the exit door for the unions. We feel a real anger and a real determination on their side… ”

Anger, too, among the unlabeled demonstrators, who shout their feeling of having “been robbed”. “The subject now goes beyond simple pension reform, says the same policeman. It has become a political challenge, a questioning of democratic mechanisms. Another important factor: will the youth mobilize en masse? And, with it, the risk of racing and the apprehension of an accident that would ignite the powder.

“Very mobile” elements in Brittany

Regarding the violence, fears are expressed in Rennes, but also in Brest. Yellow vests are expected in some cities, including Quimper, according to an intelligence service note mentioned by BFMTV. According to our information, ultra-left elements from Rennes are spreading in certain Breton towns. Including Brest, where several testimonies reported their presence, “in support”, in recent days and around the mobilization of Wednesday March 15. “They are very mobile,” comments a police source.

A few days ago, a young woman from this movement, banned from demonstrating in Rennes after taking part in violent demonstrations, was arrested when she was setting fire to garbage cans, during another rally, in a another city. The young woman is now banned from demonstrating in this municipality as well. “Nothing prevents him from going to another city tomorrow”, illustrated, this Wednesday, the same police source.