New French PM wants to “open debate” on unpopular pension reform

The newly appointed French Prime Minister Michel Barnier has expressed his readiness to discuss certain changes to the already adopted unpopular pension reform, which was a fundamental issue for President Macron. This is reported by Le Figaro/AFP.

In his first TV appearance on TF1 as prime minister, Michel Barnier addressed the issue of pension reform, which Macron and then-Prime Minister Elizabeth Born actually approved, bypassing parliament.

The far-right National Rally party and the left-wing National Front bloc are both calling for a further reduction in the retirement age to 62 from the reform’s 64. Only the socialists and center-left parties can delve into the reform’s specifics.

In 2021, Barnier himself defended the idea of raising the retirement age even to 65. Now, Michel Barnier would not say whether he is ready to discuss revising the retirement age.

“I will express my position on this very complex topic to the National Assembly and the Senate in the coming weeks. Revising everything is out of the question. This law (pension reform—EP) was adopted under extremely challenging circumstances,” the prime minister said.

Barnier continued that he wants to start a debate on certain changes to better protect the most vulnerable categories and that he will listen to the position of all stakeholders. 

At the same time, Barnier emphasised that the discussion on pensions cannot ignore the country’s financial situation. “I don’t want to increase the debt and pursue a policy that will leave these ‘checks’ to the next generation,” he emphasised.

In addition, the new prime minister promised to make the migration issue a priority. 

Barnier, who comes from the centre-right Republican party, also said he was open to cooperation with other political forces to form a government.