The protests against the French pension reform have been growing in recent weeks, as the government pushes through the reform without a vote and without public debate. The reform, which would raise the retirement age to 62, is being done under the banner of “being cheated.”
Labor unions and other groups are mounting protests throughout the country, including a 24-hour strike on December 5th that is expected to bring large numbers into the streets. The reform is seen as a way of cutting costs in the pension system, but unions have argued that it would hurt workers and those who are already retired.
The government has defended the reform, saying that it is necessary in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of the pension system. However, the lack of public debate and the decision to push through the reform without a vote have been heavily criticized by the opposition and many members of the public.
It remains to be seen how the protests will play out and what impact they will have on the reform. However, it is clear that the issue of pension reform is far from settled and is likely to remain a major point of contention for the foreseeable future.