France’s new Prime Minister François Bayrou announced this week the renegotiation of a contested plan raising the retirement age from 62 to 64, in a crucial move to seek more stability for his minority government.
In his first address to lawmakers at the National Assembly, Bayrou vowed to seek “a new path of reform, without any totems or taboos, not even the retirement age,” as long as the financing for the changes is guaranteed.
Read: France enters crucial week of talks with unions on pensions
President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 unleashed months of mass protests from January to June 2023 that damaged his leadership.
Bayrou also outlined other top priorities, including key budget decisions, one month after he was appointed by President Emmanuel Macron. The pension reform, which was enacted into law in April 2023 despite mass protests, has gradually been implemented.
France’s Socialist party urged Bayrou to announce a “suspension” of the reform with the aim of backtracking on the age of 64 and introducing specific measures for those who have long careers and certain professions considered to be hard work. Bayrou stopped short of announcing such a move, yet his proposal to renegotiate the measure appears as a hand stretched out towards the left.
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He suggested the age of 64, which was the most criticized change, could possibly be decreased depending on the outcome of the negotiations. “We cannot deteriorate the financial balance [of the pension system],” Bayrou insisted.
On the other side of the political spectrum, the conservatives have warned against any suspension of the pension changes. “If we were to repeal the pension reform, the cost would be €3.4 billion in 2025 and almost €16 billion in 2032,” said Senate President Gérard Larcher.
Bayrou said a so-called “conclave” with representatives from workers’ unions and employers’ organizations would be aimed at negotiating for three months with a strict deadline for a potential deal. If they were to agree on pension changes, the proposals would be introduced into law. Otherwise, Macron’s initial plans would apply, he said.
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