Despite strikes: Macron defends controversial pension reform

Despite massive protests and strikes, French President Emmanuel Macron wants to stick to his reform plans. "Pension reform is coming to an end," he said on Tuesday in his traditional New Year speech.

He can understand that "the decisions made can hurt and raise fear and resistance." However, this is not a reason to forego changes. The reform is a project for justice and social progress.

Macron's government wants to unify the complicated French pension system with 42 different pension funds and reduce the billions deficit of the pension funds. The French should also be encouraged to work longer - this part of the reform is particularly controversial.

Adhering to the previous regulations means "betrayal of our children and their children, who then have to pay the price for our waiver," Macron emphasized in his speech.

Macron hopes to compromise

The statutory retirement age in France is currently 62, and would actually be 64 after the reform. In his speech, the head of state assured: Those who do "heavy work" should be able to "stop earlier".

He hoped for a "quick compromise" with union leaders. But it has not yet emerged. The unions had hoped that Macron would announce cuts in the television speech.

Since December 5, a permanent strike has paralyzed public transport in Paris and long-distance transport in the country. The unions did not allow themselves to take a strike break on the holidays. Talks are not planned until January 7th.

The reform was an important election promise made by Macron - for him it became a test, especially after the "yellow vest" crisis.