The French pension revolt: how can Macron be defeated?

In juni organiseerden we het Marxisme Festival – een trefpunt voor activisten en een weekend van politieke discussie. Verspreid over deze zomer plaatsen we één voor één de opnames van de inleidingen online. We hebben de vaak levendige discussie na afloop van de inleiding niet opgenomen.

The French pension revolt: how can Macron be defeated?

In line with the ruling class of other countries of the European Union Macron decided to raise the standard retirement age. From the beginning he was met with massive and inspiring resistance. We have seen prolonged strikes in different sectors of the economy, a wave of high school and university occupations by the youth and street battles with the brutal riot police. Only by making use of authoritarian methods was Macron able to push the bill through parliament. But the fight is far from over. In what way has the French working class organized to stop the pension reform? What role have union leaders and the radical Left played ? Could the far-right capitalize on the discontent with Macron? How can workers win?