French President Emmanuel Macron insists and signs: The highly controversial pension reform must be implemented “before the end of the year”, he affirmed on Wednesday and assured that he was in agreement “to agree to the unpopularity”.
During a 35-minute TV interview on TF, le and France 2, Emmanuel Macron again called for a “necessary” reform that he is not doing “for fun”.
“I am not seeking re-election (…), but between short-term elections and the general interest of the country, I choose the general interest of the country,” affirmed the head of state.
“If there is a need to support unpopularity today, I will support it.”
But “there are no 36 solutions” to work more than. The reform envisages raising the statutory retirement age from 62 to 64 years.
He hopes it will come into force by the end of the year “so that things can be settled”.
Mr Macron, who on Tuesday ruled out any immediate prospect of a cabinet reshuffle, a dissolution of parliament or a referendum, once again outlined his camp’s arguments since activating a no-vote adoption in the assembly and the motion of no-confidence against his government, which won by nine votes failed.
Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne “I have confidence in leading this government team,” he emphasized, and called on him to “enlarge the majority.”
Emmanuel Macron’s speech, withdrawn since January for this flagship of his second five-year term that turned into a political crisis, was eagerly awaited on the eve of a new day of union mobilization, while unauthorized demonstrations and tensions continued to email everyone evening all over France.
Strikes and blockades also continue, particularly in oil depots.
The President also on Wednesday denounced the “cynicism” of certain “big companies” who have reaped significant windfall gains that have enabled them to buy back their own shares in the stock market and called on them to make “an extraordinary contribution” so that “workers can benefit” from this money, adding that he intends to “ask the government to work on an extraordinary contribution”.