A government minister stated on Monday, March 17, that reverting France’s retirement age to 62 is “not realistic,” dismissing requests from leftist groups and labor unions. Budget Minister Amélie de Montchalin emphasized, “Retiring at 62… is simply not feasible.”
Unions have begun reassessing the widely unpopular pension reform of 2023, which includes a gradual increase in the retirement age from 62 to 64. However, the government has recently signaled that it will not alter this key aspect of the reform.
Centrist Prime Minister François Bayrou had promised in January to reopen discussions regarding the reform. Yet, in a Sunday interview, when asked if reverting to a retirement age of 62 was feasible in the current situation, Bayrou responded with a definitive “no.”
Since Bayrou’s commitment, the political landscape has shifted significantly with the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, who has dramatically altered US policy towards Europe, particularly concerning the Ukraine conflict initiated by Russia’s invasion in 2022. In response, France is increasing its defense budget, raising concerns among leftist factions about potential impacts on social spending.
See more: Prime Minister François Bayrou and the ‘new era’
Former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who is eyeing a run in the 2027 presidential elections, remarked on Friday that the current discussions surrounding pensions have become completely “outdated” in light of escalating international tensions.
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