France. Macron seeks to placate French over pension reforms
French President Emmanuel Macron sought to ease fears over his controversial pension reform Thursday in a debate with concerned citizens over the plan that has sparked protests by train drivers, pilots, lawyers, doctors and police.
Macron’s move to modernise France’s retirement system is part of an election pledge to put the country on a solid financial footing — a mission that calls for painful changes in a country where many people have seen their spending power decline.
Macron’s government has been the target of more than a year of protests by so-called “yellow vests” who say he does not understand the day-to-day struggles of ordinary people faced with rising prices for products and services and shrinking income.
The president spent Thursday evening seeking to win over citizens in the southern French city of Rodez in the Aveyron region, where a third of the population is over 60.
He told the crowd he wanted to “clarify misunderstandings” over the plan to streamline the pension system.
“What is clear is that I want to move towards a system that builds the future,” he said. But those who stood up to ask questions expressed deep concerns.
“The older I get the more the age (of retirement) increases,” said one 53-year-old nurse.
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