French PM Bayrou Rejects Pension Reform Suspension at 64, Opts for Renegotiation Amid No-Confidence Threat

Jan 14, 2025, 10:32 AM

French Prime Minister François Bayrou has ruled out any suspension or abrogation of the contentious pension reform, opting instead for a renegotiation with social partners. This decision comes ahead of his policy speech to the National Assembly, where he aims to outline his government's agenda and secure support for the 2025 budget. The pension reform, which raised the retirement age to 64, has been a focal point of negotiations with the Socialist Party (PS), which had demanded its suspension in exchange for not voting against the government in a no-confidence motion. Bayrou's stance is intended to avoid alienating his allies on the right, who have threatened to leave the government if the reform is suspended. The Prime Minister has indicated that social partners will be tasked with proposing adjustments to the reform by autumn, suggesting a review period before any potential changes to the retirement age in September.