Pension changes


Legislation introducing key elements of the bitterly-contested pension changes has passed the lower house of parliament in France. 


Its passage came after the government used a constitutional manouevre to pass legislation without a vote. Attempts to block this by moving a vote of no confidence in the government failed to win a majority. The legislation will now be discussed in the upper house. 


At the same time, the government seems to be moving closer to agreement with the more moderate unions, principally the CFDT union confederation, on changes to the age at which an individual can retire with a full pension — with discussions on the financing of the system continuing with four confederations. 


However, two confederations, the CGT and FO, have left the talks and maintain their complete rejection of the government’s plans.