The French Senate has given the green light to a bill aimed at reforming the country’s pension system. The most significant change proposed in the reform is an increase in the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64. The reform has been approved by a majority of lawmakers, with 201 votes in favor and 115 against. The Socialist, Communist, and Ecologist groups are among those who voted against the reform. The Labor Minister, Olivier Dussopt, praised the “vote of responsibility” by the Senate and criticized the behavior of the left, whom he accused of “obstructing” the reform.
The bill also includes a measure to increase pensions to 85% of the minimum interprofessional wage, or roughly €1,200 net. However, the proposed reform has sparked street protests, with over 1.28 million people demonstrating against it last Tuesday, according to government figures. Unions have confirmed additional protests for Saturday and called on the government to withdraw its bill.
While the Senate’s approval of the key article of the bill is a significant step, lawmakers must still review and approve the entire bill by the end of the week. The gradual increase in the retirement age is intended to address the structural deficit of France’s pension system.