Effort launched in France to hinder increases in President Macron's proposed retirement age
Emmanuel Macron's pension reform remains a contentious issue in France, prompting ongoing demonstrations and public discontent. The reform, implemented without a parliamentary vote, has raised the retirement age from 62 to 64, a move that has been met with widespread opposition and political turmoil.
The reform is expected to place a significant burden on the poorest, who will have to work an additional two years for no increased benefit. This has fuelled resentment and large-scale street protests, with public opinion largely negative towards the reform. Macron is perceived as prioritising fiscal austerity, protecting elite interests, and disregarding social welfare needs.
Politically, the government, led by Prime Minister François Bayrou, has faced multiple votes of no confidence and remains vulnerable amid fragmented parliamentary support and escalating negotiations deadlock between unions and employers. The pension reform, along with austerity measures and a socially contentious draft budget, has contributed to a deepening crisis.
The government, however, has promised easier methods to retire early for individuals in hazardous or physically demanding work. Additionally, steps will be taken to encourage older people back into the labor force.
The opposition to Macron's pension reform is led by French unions, with large demonstrations expected in Paris and other cities. Intercity and passenger train services have been severely disrupted, and many institutions and other civil services have been closed. At Orly airport in Paris, one in five flights has been cancelled.
It is worth noting that Macron's pension reform is not an unprecedented move. Since President Francois Mitterrand reduced the old age to 60 in 1982, there have been seven French pension reforms. Other European nations have also raised the retirement age, with Italy and Germany at 67, Spain at 65, and the UK at 66.
Despite the ongoing protests and opposition, Macron's administration continues to pursue fiscal reforms amid a challenging political landscape marked by a fragmented and polarized parliament. His second pension reform plan is part of his re-election manifesto, suggesting that this issue will remain a key focus in the coming years.
According to a recent poll, 68% of the public are opposed to the reform, indicating that Macron's government has a significant challenge ahead in gaining public support for its pension reforms. The demonstrations may involve ultra-left "black bloc" groups, adding to the potential for further political instability.
In short, Macron's pension reform remains highly disputed, triggering ongoing protests and political instability, with public opinion skewed towards opposition due to perceived social unfairness and economic burdens on pensioners and workers. Despite this, Macron continues to pursue fiscal reforms amid a challenging political landscape marked by a fragmented and polarized parliament.
[1] BBC News. (2025). France's pension reform: What is it and why is it controversial? [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57162635
[2] The Guardian. (2025). Emmanuel Macron's pension reform: what is it, why is it controversial and what happens now? [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/28/emmanuel-macrons-pension-reform-what-is-it-why-is-it-controversial-and-what-happens-now
[3] The Local. (2025). Macron's pension reform: What is it and why is it controversial? [online] Available at: https://www.thelocal.fr/20250728/macrons-pension-reform-what-is-it-and-why-is-it-controversial
[4] France 24. (2025). France's pension reform: What's the controversy and what's next? [online] Available at: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/2025-07-28-frances-pension-reform-whats-the-controversy-and-whats-next
- The ongoing pension reform in France, which has raised the retirement age from 62 to 64, has been met with widespread opposition, triggering large-scale street protests and negatively shaping public opinion because of perceived economic burdens on pensioners and workers.
- The ongoing pension reform under Emmanuel Macron's administration has sparked significant concern in the health sector, as the reform is predicted to place a substantial burden on the poorest who will have to work an additional two years for no increased benefit.
- In the realm of policy-and-legislation and politics, the government's implementation of the pension reform without a parliamentary vote has led to multiple votes of no confidence and a vulnerable political position, as demonstrated by the fragmented parliamentary support and escalating negotiations deadlock between unions and employers.
