‘No weakness’: Macron to push pension reform ‘to the end’ despite strikes

President Emmanuel Macron vowed no let up in his drive to implement France’s far-reaching pension reforms despite a looming winter of strikes by unions angered by the plan, AFP reports.

There will be “no complacency or weakness” in pushing through the changes, even if it risked making him more unpopular, Macron told RTL radio. “I want this reform to go to the end, I think it is necessary for the country so I will defend it.”

Key French unions have called for a major strike on December 5 to protest against the reforms which were unveiled in July with the aim of “harmonizing” the 42 different pension schemes currently in place.

The new system would still allow people to retire at 62, but on a reduced pension. A full pension would only be available from the age of 64.