France's Macron wants pension reform bill drafted by Christmas - source

French President Emmanuel Macron (pictured) will push ahead with reforming France's complicated pension system. His government will draft legislation before Christmas, a source told a dinner where Macron briefed lawmakers from the ruling party.

According to a source, the government would continue its consultations with trade unions and political parties as it drafts the bill. It was planned to have a vote in January 2023, and the reform would take effect in July.

A spokesperson for Elysee did not respond to a request for comment. At a Wednesday dinner (28 September), Macron informed the ruling party parliamentarians about his intentions.

Macron's election platform included reforming France's complicated and expensive pension system. However, his initial proposals angered the unions and prompted weeks of protests just before the pandemic. Macron put it on hold and ordered France to lock down in 2020.

In the face of rising inflation in Europe and Europe's worst cost of living crisis in decades, Macron's political enemies and the trade unions are still strong opponents.

His political party, which does not have a majority in parliament anymore, is also split on the issue.

The multi-sector strike of several trade unions took place on Thursday (29 September). It will test the unions' ability and provide a gauge of social unrest.

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Macron repeatedly spoke out in favor of making the French work harder and raising the retirement age to 62.

The government could theoretically use the "49.3" clause to block the reforms in parliament. This is a French constitutional mechanism that allows a government to adopt legislation regardless of whether it has a majority in Parliament.

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