Prime Minister François Bayrou is set to begin consultations with union representatives and employers on Friday to discuss revisions to the contentious pension reform, which has faced widespread public and political criticism.
The meeting, scheduled for January 17, aims to lay the groundwork for further discussions over the next three months, with the goal of making the reform more “socially equitable.” The move is seen as a response to demands from multiple political factions and an attempt to ease tensions surrounding the issue.
The pension reform has been a focal point of parliamentary opposition to Bayrou’s government, with threats of no-confidence votes looming if compromises cannot be reached. This pressure comes alongside ongoing debates over the 2025 budget.
Bayrou’s commitment to revisiting the reform was a key factor in the survival of his government during a no-confidence vote on January 16. Socialist deputies, who had initially considered voting against the government, abstained after the Prime Minister pledged to seek common ground on the issue. The right-wing also chose not to vote against the government, securing its stability just a month into its tenure.
