Macron defends that the pension reform was “necessary” and that it was approved constitutionally

French president leaves door open for French unions

17 Apr. (EUROPE PRESS) –

The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has defended this Monday in a speech that the pension reform was “necessary”, that it has been approved “according to the Constitution” and that it will enter into force gradually from the autumn.

“The changes foreseen by the pension reform will come into force gradually from the autumn,” he said, acknowledging that the legislation has not found consensus in all sectors and that it has caused “anger” among French citizens.

Despite this, he recalled that the reform has been approved “in accordance with the Constitution” and that the “response” to this social crisis “cannot be immobility or extremism”, referring to the episodes of violence experienced during the protests.

Macron also recalled that, in view of his meeting with the main employers’ associations this Tuesday, the door “will always be open” to the unions, which have refused to go to the Elysée until alternatives are proposed to discard the reform.