The key dates of the pension reform project

Reminder of the main dates of the project which follows a first attempt at reform, more ambitious, carried out during the first five-year term but stopped dead on March 16, 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Legal age at 65

At the end of 2021, Emmanuel Macron reiterates his desire to reform pensions.

Re-elected in 2022 after committing during the election campaign to "shift the legal age of departure up to 65 years", against 62 years currently, he calls on July 14 for "responsible compromises" with a view to a entry into force of the reform in the summer of 2023.

Consultations

Faced with virulent opposition from the unions, Mr. Macron asked the government on September 22 to "find the right maneuver" for a "peaceful" reform.

In early October, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne initiated consultation with the social partners for, she hopes, an adoption "before the end of winter".

Macron "open"

On October 26, Mr. Macron said he was "open" to a starting age of 64, instead of 65.

The presentation of the reform has been postponed until January to allow time for the social partners and political parties to "discuss" with the executive. Ms. Borne consults all over the place in December, trying to reconcile right and CFDT.

64

On January 10, the Prime Minister unveiled a reform whose flagship measure is the postponement of the legal retirement age from 62 to 64 by 2030.

Another important measure: raising the minimum pension for full, full-time careers to 85% of the net minimum wage, or nearly 1.200 euros gross.

Massive mobilization

United front of trade unions against the project. The eight main organizations succeeded in mobilizing massively on January 19: "More than two million" demonstrators according to the CGT (1,12 million according to the Ministry of the Interior).

The government maintains

The government adopts its reform on January 23 in the Council of Ministers, displaying its "determination" to go all the way.

On January 25 and 26, torchlight protest marches are organized in several cities, strikes are observed in refineries, EDF power stations and ports.

Record parades

On January 31, a second day of protest brings together record processions: 1,27 million for the police and 2,5 million according to the unions.

Ms. Borne stays the course but makes a concession, on February 4, on "long careers", hoping to convince reluctant right-wing deputies.

Electric debates

On February 6, the debates start in the National Assembly under pressure from the street with two new days of protest, a little less followed, the 7 and the 11.

The debates electrify the Palais-Bourbon with multiple incidents between rebellious deputies and the government and suspensions of the session.

The street is still roaring on February 16, but with half the number of participants.

Without debate or vote

The debate at first reading ends in the National Assembly on February 17, without debate or vote on the flagship measure of the postponement to 64 years, due to the obstruction of La France insoumise.

The examination starts on March 2 in a more serene atmosphere in the Senate, an enclosure dominated by the right, more favorable to reform.

"Historical" mobilization

The inter-union wanted to put the country at a standstill: the mobilization of March 7 is of a "historic" scale with 1,28 million demonstrators according to the police, 3,5 million for the CGT.

The inter-union asks, in vain, to be received by Emmanuel Macron. Strike movements affect transport, garbage collection, activity in fuel depots/refineries, electricity/gas, education.

The Senate adopts

The Senate continues the examination, with approval, on March 9, of the article on the postponement of the retirement age, then accelerated adoption of the entire text, on March 11.

On this same date, a seventh day of mobilization brings together much less. The inter-union calls for "citizen consultation", while strikes continue in certain sectors.

The unions are organizing an eighth day of mobilization on Wednesday, while deputies and senators are trying to agree, in a joint committee, on a compromise text.