Macron Signs Pension Reform Into Law

The latest news regarding Emmanuel Macron’s controversial pension reform bill – the reason behind the ongoing strikes and protests that have hit France over the last three months – came last Friday, April 14th, when the Constitutional Council approved the bill. The constitutional

ruling was the last legal possibility for preventing the government from moving ahead with the reforms, and they approved almost all of the bill’s key legislation, including raising the minimum retirement age to 64 and extending the years of work required to qualify for a full pension. The pension changes are set to come into action from September 1st, 2023.

There were six minor provisions rejected from the bill, specifically concerning contracts for older workers, and the Constitutional Council also overturned a bid for a referendum on the retirement age.

Off the back of the approval of the Constitutional Council, Macron signed the bill into law the next day (Saturday, April 15th). April 17th, the President made a live TV address to the nation, stating that he had “heard the anger of the French people” and stated a desire to “move on”, as well as insisting that his “door will always be open” for unions to discuss working conditions moving forward.