French Prime Minister François Bayrou has bought his minority government some time by proposing a three-month negotiation period for trade and employer unions to discuss raising the retirement age from 62 to 64. The plan aims to address the country’s mounting public debt while maintaining its generous welfare state. However, navigating France’s deeply fractured parliament poses significant challenges, echoing the fate of his predecessor Michel Barnier, whose government lasted only 100 days.
Bayrou is an ally of President Emmanuel Macron and faces several no-confidence votes. If talks break down, the retirement age will not change. Instead, changes could be included in future social security budget bills or new legislation if necessary. This plan aims to prevent a stalemate and give Bayrou’s government more time to address France’s economic issues.
Source: https://www.politico.eu/article/france-prime-minister-francois-bayrou-retirement-age-socialists