Macron: France will not be able to “save” pension reform

Emmanuel Macron estimated Tuesday July 14 that France could not " save a reform " of its pension system, but recognized that the government project could not be maintained as designed before the health crisis.

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" We will not save a reform of our pension system to make it viable, " said the head of state in a television interview on July 14, saying he wanted to " watch ". reality " opposite ".

The priority is "it's jobs"

While acknowledging that " the priority for this summer, for the next school year, is employment ", he explained his desire to postpone the reform " to discussion and concertation ". " To say 'we act as if there was no problem' is to say 'I sacrifice the heritage of those who do not have it', it is to say 'I take the risk of not be able to pay pensions tomorrow, "he said.

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The head of state, however, considered that the pension reform, suspended " sine die " mid-March after its vote at first reading in the National Assembly, via the procedure of 49-3, could not be maintained in the state. " I think this reform is fair because it is made for those who were called the 'first of the chore' " but " it can not be done as it was fitted before the Covid crisis ," said the head of state.

Emmanuel Macron considered it necessary to distinguish the “ systemic ” reform , which was the heart of the initial project of transformation into a universal point-based pension system, and the “ financial aspect ” of the so-called “ parametric ” pension scheme , than the unions as a whole refuse to examine immediately. According to estimates released in mid-June by the Pensions Guidance Council, the deficit in the pension system should approach the record level of 30 billion euros this year.

The calendar in question

This level, well above the 4 billion euros deficit expected before the crisis, has pushed the government in recent days to put the subject on the table, despite the unanimous opposition of the unions. Asked about a possible increase in the number of quarters worked to reduce this deficit, Emmanuel Macron said he had " already shown " his " openness to all these subjects ", while refusing at this stage to comment.

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" Prime Minister Jean Castex will bring together all the social partners on the weekend, Friday, to put everything on the table ", alongside questions of " health " and " dependence ", he explained. The president did not specify whether a reform of the pension systems would indeed be adopted by the end of the five-year period, deeming it necessary to define a " relevant calendar ". " I will be clear: the priority for this summer, for the next school year is employment, " he warned.