A nationwide day of strikes and protests in France is a major test for President Emmanuel Macron, who says his flagship reform to raise the retirement age by two years to 64, is vital to ensure the pension system does not go bust
and protests is a major test for President Emmanuel Macron, who says his flagship reform, which opinion polls show is very unpopular, is vital to ensure the pension system does not go bust.
"Today the mobilisation will be strong, very strong ... We are here so the government's project is pulled back," Frederic Souillot, the head of FO union told Sud Radio. "There is a lot of anger," Laurent Berger, the head of France's largest union, CFDT, told BFM TV.in the evening, said Thursday was just the beginning.
Pushing back the retirement age by two years and extending the pay-in period would bring additional 17.7 billion euros in annual pension contributions, allowing the system to break even by 2027, according to Labour Ministry estimates.Unions argue there are other ways to ensure the viability of the pension system such as taxing the super-rich or increasing employers' contributions or those of well-off pensioners.
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