Macron’s overhaul of pensions is a response to what the French conservative right has wanted to accomplish for two decades, without success. De Gaulle used to say, “Between me and the Communists, nothing,” by which he meant: as long as his only opponent was the Communist Party, he would always keep power. Macron believes that social democracy is no longer a threat to his rule. So, if he succeeds in siphoning off most of the old conservative and center-right voters, the Gaullists and the Sarkozy-ites, then there will be nothing between him and Marine Le Pen. If populist far right is his only opponent, he will always win. It’s a risky game.
Source : Why Macron Refuses to Retire in France’s Pensions Battle
