French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday defended the pension reform, which has generated an unprecedented wave of protests in the European country, while stressing that it must enter into force by the end of this year.
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The president pointed out during an interview with national media that “this reform is necessary. It doesn’t make me happy. I would have preferred not to do it”, meanwhile, he assumed the unpopularity of the measure that seeks to extend the retirement age from 62 to 64 years.
The head of state highlighted the importance of the reform, which awaits evaluation by the Constitutional Council before it can be promulgated, arguing that around 20 million pensioners are forecast for the year 2030.
In turn, the head of the French Executive pointed out that “it would be good for 1.8 million people to see their pension increased by about 600 euros per year.”
At the same time, Macron assured that he will impose an “exceptional tax” on large companies with the aim that workers benefit from the profits.
In this sense, he blamed these benefits of the companies for the current social unrest, meanwhile, he described the protesters as “seditious”, and even compared them to the assailants of the seats of power in the United States in 2021 and in Brazil during 2023 .
The French president’s statements come on the eve of when a new day of demonstrations is called by the unions that on March 7 managed to mobilize more than 3 million people.