Day 13 shocker: Macron’s pension minister quits over corruption

Ramin Mazaheri 
Press TV, Paris

Day 13 of France’s general strike was the biggest labor action yet, as the nation’s largest union finally joined the protest against President Emmanuel Macron’s proposed junking of the pension system in favor of an unprecedented universal scheme. 

But the biggest news occurred the night before: the minister in charge of the pension reform, and its architect for the past two years, resigned due to corruption allegations.

Only halfway through his term Macron has set the record for the greatest number of minister resignations. Nearly all have been due to corruption charges. A key reason for Macron’s election was his promise to end the endemic corruption of the two mainstream parties.

In violation of the constitution, Jean-Paul Delevoye admitted to receiving huge salaries from private groups even after taking public office. French media detailed more than a dozen conflicts of interest between these jobs and his public post.

Delavoye is also accused of lying about the assets of himself and his wife, and he quit in order to try and save his pension plan. However, many believe his pension ideas are totally tainted, fueling the already widespread demand that Macron withdraw it completely.

At nearly two million people the third nationwide day of protest was larger than ever, with rail workers, hospital workers and teachers walking off the job in huge numbers. Energy workers purposely shut down power to at least 200,000 homes, with more power cuts expected. The deadline for a “Christmas truce” has passed, so at least 60% of all trains will be idled during the key pre-holiday travel days.

France’s general strike shows no sign of stopping, and the shocking corruption scandals of the Macron administration could be a decisive blow against his pension rollback.

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