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Politico (14 January 2025)

By Clea Caulcutt

French Prime Minister François Bayrou appeared to buy his fledgling minority government at least a few more months by giving all sides time to negotiate over raising the country's retirement age from 62 to 64 for most workers.  

The plan, which he floated during his first major policy speech on Tuesday, would see trade and employer unions given three months to discuss the controversial changes, in what Bayrou called a "conclave," within certain strict financial guidelines.

Raising the pension age has long been one of the most contentious issues in French politics. The country enjoys a generous welfare state, but as public debt piles up, policymakers are increasingly desperate to make savings.

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