Macron: 'I have no regrets pushing for this necessary reform'
Source: EuroNews
Macron said his disputed pension overhaul was necessary to balance Frances pension system over the coming years amid shifting demographics.
The longer we wait, the more it (the deficit) will deteriorate, said the French president, whose government has failed to persuade the public and indeed many economists of the need for reform.
This reform is necessary, it does not make me happy. I would have preferred not to do it, he said, calling for the reform to come into force by the end of 2023.
Read more: https://www.euronews.com/2023/03/22/macron-i-have-no-regrets-pushing-for-this-necessary-reform
quakerboy
(13,920 posts)He got his policy passed
And he survived both no confidence votes.
Whats to regret?
Delphinus
(11,830 posts)it will make it harder to get reelected, if he chooses to run.
And I read somewhere yesterday that some think it is a gift to Marie Le Pen (think I got the name right).
Old Crank
(3,575 posts)The trouble is the right who pushed for earlier later pensions refused to agree or work with anyone to propose other changes. The further left refused to do much either. The French have increased their life span almost 10 years since 1980. That puts a huge strain on the system. Was this the best he could have done? We won't know because no one seemed to want to make a serious discussion about alternatives.
To increase solvency, the current scheme will be runnign a 15 billion defficit by 2030, there are about 3 main choices.
1. Raise retirement age. unpopular
2. Increase payments into the system from payroll or some other tax. unpopular
3. Cut bennefits. unpopular.
Our SSAN has a similar problem. Here one party refuses to look at any alternatives other than 1 and 3 above.
ForgoTheConsequence
(4,868 posts)?
Marcus IM
(2,201 posts)Something called "the cat food commission" (the Simpson/Bowles commission) that recommended raising retirement age and cutting benefits.
Here ...
https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-establishes-bipartisan-national-commission-fiscal-responsibility-an
Relies Far Too Much on Benefit Cuts, Makes Other Problematic Changes
https://www.cbpp.org/research/bowles-simpson-social-security-proposal-not-a-good-starting-point-for-reforms
Farmer-Rick
(10,163 posts)Without a whimper they got it passed. It helps if you destroy the workers' unions before you do it though.
Notice Congressional pension retirement is still 62. Maybe their retirement should change to match what the rest of us have to deal with.
oioioi
(1,127 posts)How quaint
Old Crank
(3,575 posts)Forced retirement at 62 or raise the retirement age.
They pay into their system also.
Most Federal legislators can afford to retire at 62 and then get some other lucrative job.