Paris.
In France, the pension reform can come into force – the Constitutional Council has approved it. Further protests are to be expected.
Far-reaching decision in Paris: The pension reform pushed by French President Emmanuel Macron and controversial among the population can come into force. The Constitutional Council – a kind of chamber of the highest French constitutional guardians – declared the project on Friday to be essentially constitutional. This paves the way for a gradual increase in the retirement age from 62 to 64.
For Macron, the decision is a great success. The reform has been the subject of debate in the country for months – the president finally pushed it through without the approval of parliament. In the population has for some violent Protests taken care of. This is unlikely to change even after the approval of the Constitutional Council. Also read: Macron wants pension reform by the end of the year
France: Pension reform to raise retirement age
The French government wants to Reform prevent an impending hole in the pension fund. The plan is for citizens to retire later and thus pay contributions for longer. Currently, the official retirement age in France is 62 years – but most people can only retire later: those who have not paid in long enough for a full pension work longer. At the age of 67 there is then a pension without deduction, regardless of how long it has been paid in. It should stay that way.
The project has provoked a wave of indignation in France. The unions consider it brutal and unfair. Also in Parliament delivered themselves Government and opposition a fierce exchange of blows. In order to avoid an imminent defeat, the government decided at the last minute to push the reform without a final vote by the National Assembly. Left and right-wing national MPs, left-wing senators and Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne then called the Constitutional Council.
This is more like an expert council than the German one constitutional court. The nine members are nominated directly by political institutions – three each by the President of the Republic, the President of the National Assembly and the President of the Senate. In addition, they do not have to be judges. Also read the comment: Pension reform – Why things can’t go on like this in France
Constitutional Council: Pension reform in France is constitutional
The constitutional authorities had to decide on the criticism of the pension reform. Among other things, it was criticized that the government packaged the reform in a budget text and shortened the debate time in parliament. Herein saw the supreme guardians of the French Constitution however no problem. On the other hand, they conceded a list of older employees that was compulsory for larger companies and a special contract for older employees because they had nothing to do with finances.
Even if the unions want to respect the decision of the Constitutional Council, the protests against the reform are likely to continue. It is conceivable that there could now be more spontaneous actions – possibly again with riots and violence. Some more radical groups could do theirs A strike also continue. The Constitutional Council rejected a procedure for a referendum that wanted to cap the retirement age at 62 years. (fmg/dpa)
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