François Bayrou Rules Out a Return to Retirement at 62 and Defends Social Dialogue

A Firm Refusal from the Prime Minister
Speaking on France Inter this Sunday, March 16, Prime Minister François Bayrou firmly rejected the idea of reinstating the legal retirement age at 62, a demand made by unions as part of the “conclave” on pensions. “I don’t believe that setting a single retirement age is the only solution,” he stated, advocating for alternative approaches to reform. He also emphasized the need for two separate discussions: one on the private sector, with the goal of achieving financial balance by 2030, and another on the public sector to ensure more stable financial management.

A Clear Disagreement with Édouard Philippe
Beyond the retirement age issue, François Bayrou took the opportunity to highlight his differences with former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe. The latter recently dismissed the consultation process with social partners as “completely outdated.” Bayrou strongly disagrees: “We cannot rely solely on political power to resolve these issues, especially without a solid majority,” he asserted. According to him, social democracy remains essential in shaping reforms, contrasting with the more top-down approach advocated by Philippe.