Spasi- id, French — The French government officially enforced the reform of the national retirement system that raised the minimum retirement age of 62 to 64. This policy, which was passed in 2023 under President Emmanuel Macron's government, sparked a fierce debate and wave of protests across the country.
This reform is judged as an important step to maintain state's financial sustainability, given the increasing life expectancy rate and the decreasing ratio between active workers and pensions. The government reasoned that without structural changes, the French retirement system will be facing a growing deficit in the next few years.
Reform Destination
"This reform is meant to save the retirement system for generations to come. We can't let the deficit continue to swell," says President Macron in his statement at the Palace of Élysée.
In addition to the rise in retirement, this new policy also regulates the growth of contributions to 43 years for workers to accept full retirement. A number of special schemes for certain professions, such as workers in the transportation and energy sector, are simplified to create more uniform and just systems.
However, that policy reaped the extensive rejection of unions, students, and the general public. They value this reform that will be a heavy burden on workers with low physical work and low income.
Since the beginning of 2023, thousands of demonstrators went down the streets in large cities like Paris, Lyon, and Marseille, protesting what they considered to be policies that didn't side with the little people.
Controversy is getting higher when the government uses Article 49.3 French Constitution to validate the bill without voting in parliament. That move triggered the sentence that the government ignored the democratic process and the public aspirations.
Nevertheless, this reform remains in effect and begins to apply gradually. Analysts rate that policy will have a positive effect on long-term fiscal stability, but potentially lead to prolonged social dissatisfaction.
Retired reformation in France is now a symbol of the fight between the need for economic efficiency and social justice demands. In the short run, governments are faced with a huge challenge to calm public turmoil and ensure policy implementation goes according to plan.
