December 2019

11Dec

French PM warns of long pensions standoff in face of new protests

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe warned ruling party lawmakers Tuesday (Dec 10) to brace for a long battle over the government's pension reforms, as tens of thousands took to the streets to back a transport strike that has caused six days of travel misery. The industrial action, which has paralysed public transport in Paris and severely disrupted national rail services, is the biggest show of union force since President Emmanuel Macron came to power in 2017 vowing to cut...

December 11, 2019
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05Dec

Strike paralyses France as unions protest pension overhaul

A nationwide strike brought much of France to a standstill on Thursday as tens of thousands hit the streets to protest a pension overhaul by President Emmanuel Macron, which unions say will force millions of people to work longer or face curtailed benefits. Read also A Look at France’s Heated Debate Over Pensions Trains, metros and buses, as well as some flights, were cancelled while most schools were closed or only assuring daycare services, forcing many parents to find alternatives...

December 5, 2019
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02Dec

French cabinet in Sunday crisis meeting ahead of 5 December strike

The French cabinet has met in a Sunday crisis session convened by Prime Minister Edouard Philippe to discuss tactics in the face of Thursday's nationwide strikes against proposals to reform retirement and pension legislation. With a series of strikes planned in key sectors like transport and teaching, the government has already held a number of meetings to thrash out a common strategy to defend reforms – described as "essential" by President Emmanuel Macron. On Friday, several ministers met to...

December 2, 2019
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November 2019

29Nov

Pension reform in France ‘a response to gilets jaunes’

Controversial pension reforms in France are a direct result of the gilets jaunes' protests, government spokesperson Sibeth Ndiaye has said, prompting outrage from political opponents on social media "This reform is one of the responses to the gilets jaunes' crisis. It is above all one of the responses to the significant injustices that exist in our country," Ms Ndiaye told Franceinfo. The government's pension reform project is still the subject of consultation between the government, unions and employers, and...

November 29, 2019
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28Nov

France. ‘Pension change needed but has been badly explained’

THE strikes have the government worried and could result in a general election, says sociologist Jean Viard, however the outcome remains uncertain. Dr Viard, a director of research at Sciences Po who stood to be an LREM MP in 2017, said: “The press talks a great deal about December 5 and I have met members of government and know they are very worried, but it is unpredictable. “The SNCF and RATP are motivated, because the SNCF lost its...

November 28, 2019
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26Nov

France’s December strikes: ‘Expect major disruption that could last until New Year’

Major disruption that could last until the New Year - that's the view of one French political analyst on what will happen once 'unlimited' strikes begin in France on December 5th. The French government and unions are squaring up for a battle as mass strike action is declared over plans to reform the French pension system. Read also Pension reform in France ‘a response to gilets jaunes’ The first declared strike day is December 5th, but many unions say they...

November 26, 2019
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October 2019

28Oct

France. Macron vows to push pension reform ‘to the end’ despite strikes

French President Emmanuel Macron vowed no let up in his drive to implement far-reaching pension reforms despite a looming winter of strikes by unions angered by the plan, in an interview broadcast on Monday. Macron told RTL radio that there would be "no complacency or weakness" in pushing through the changes, even if it risked making him more unpopular. "I want this reform to go to the end, I think it is necessary for the country so I will...

October 28, 2019
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04Oct

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...

October 4, 2019
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September 2019

18Sep

France. How Emmanuel Macron’s pension reforms could paralyse his presidency

Last Friday, the Paris transport system came to a standstill. Employees at RATP, the company that runs the metro and bus lines as well as suburban RER trains, launched the biggest French strike for more than a decade: between 60 and 98 per cent of the workforce took action, according to trade unions. With ten metro lines completely closed and buses, trams and RER trains scarcely running, the strike wreaked havoc on Paris streets. People resorted to cars to...

September 18, 2019
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17Sep

France. Lawyers, doctors, nurses protest pension changes

Thousands of French professionals, including lawyers and doctors, took to the streets of Paris Monday in the latest protest against the government's planned pension changes. The protest saw lawyers, doctors, nurses and others in regulated professions vent their displeasure at the proposed changes that President Emmanuel Macron's government says will simplify France's convoluted pensions system. The government has promised the legal retirement age of 62 won't change, but new conditions may encourage people to work longer. A large majority...

September 17, 2019
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