New French PM announces renegotiation of controversial pension reform Politics News

François Bellew wants more talks to prevent the government from collapsing again during the budget debate.

France's new prime minister has announced that he will renegotiate a controversial plan to raise France's retirement age in an effort to stabilize the government and pass a budget.

“I have chosen to put this subject back on the agenda in the short term and under transparent conditions, together with the social partners,” Francois Bellew said in his first address to lawmakers in the National Assembly on Tuesday.

Bayrou, who was appointed last month after the collapse of his previous government, pledged to pursue a “new reform path” as long as the approved budget guarantees financing and maintains the “financial balance” of the pension system.

Plans to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 are a cornerstone of reforms led by President Emmanuel Macron – who lost parliament late last year in a shock call for early elections majority of seats. A key goal of the reform is to free up billions of dollars to shrink the budget deficit and keep pensions stable.

The move triggered massive protests that lasted for months from January to June 2023, with opposition groups and unions saying the reform would disproportionately impact certain groups, such as those in manual labor. influence.

However, it was passed in April 2023 and has been gradually implemented. In addition to the age limit, the law requires people to work for 43 years before receiving a full pension.

The new prime minister now aims to advance negotiations with other parties, especially the Socialists, to avoid another collapse of the government. So far, Bayrou has not announced any clear measures targeting more affected groups or those over 64 years old.

The Socialists welcome talks that include pension reform, but the possibility of another no-confidence motion remains.

The center-right Republicans and Macron's centrist allies are currently supporting Berou's cabinet to speed up the passage of the 2025 budget.

The country is currently relying on temporary measures to prevent a government shutdown, but a budget is needed to help reduce France's deficit and support key spending, such as military spending during Russia's war with Ukraine.

Far-right leader and Macron rival Marine Le Pen, who played a major role in bringing down the previous government, also continues to remain influential as her National Rally party has the largest single grouping in the lower house of parliament.

Her ally Jordan Bardera, president of the National Rally, criticized Berou for his negotiations with the Socialists.

Bardella warned on Monday that his party would oppose any budget that would raise health care costs, provide more health care for immigrants living in France illegally and impose new taxes on businesses.