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French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that his government would push for a pension review despite fierce union protests over one of the country’s biggest transport strikes in decades.
“Pension reform will take place,” Macron said in a televised speech on New Year’s Eve, saying he expected a “quick compromise” with union leaders demanding the abandonment of the plan.
The strike, which has changed travel plans and affected businesses during the holiday season, is proving a key test of Macron’s ability to implement its reform vote in France since he came to power in 2017.
While most French citizens believe the country’s pension system does not need a overhaul, opinion is divided on the Macron government’s proposals. The powerful French unions are demanding that the French president abandon his plan for a single point-based system and a “fundamental age” of 64 to benefit from a full pension, above the official retirement age. 62 years.
The current system has 42 sector-specific pension systems, each with different levels of contributions and benefits that includes special benefits for some jobs, such as train drivers, which are considered “difficult”.
“We will consider difficult tasks so that those who do them can leave sooner,” Macron said.
A far-left leader launches a declaration of war
Macron’s call for a “Christmas truce” during the ongoing strike was not heeded and unions have vowed not to back down in the face of renewed talks with the government scheduled for January 7th.
They have already called for another day of mass protests on January 9, when teachers, doctors, hospital workers and other public sector employees will join the strike for that day.
Macron’s speech comes a year after the first major damage control attempt during his presidency, when he used the traditional New Year’s speech to announce a € 10 billion ($ 11.2 billion) financial aid for try to stifle the fiery “yellow vest” anti-government protests.
The concessions have encouraged union leaders to back down against pension reforms, with a strike reaching the 27th day.
In response to the speech, French far-left politician Jean-Luc Melenchon said on Twitter that
Macron’s words were “a declaration of war on those who reject reform.”
“Solid” relationship with the post-Brexit UK
Macron also addressed foreign policy issues during his traditional New Year’s speech, noting that he wanted a strong relationship with post-Brexit Britain.
“The UK’s exit from the European Union is a test for our country. I will strive to maintain a strong relationship between our two countries,” Macron said.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)