basquebromance
Diamond Member
- Nov 26, 2015
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Paris brought to a standstill by anti-Macron transport protests - Voice of Europe
contrary to the view of some American conservatives, who see these protest movements as a Tea Party-style revolt, Macron is in the right here. What's at stake is the fiscal stability of the Fifth Republic and the right of taxpayers to be treated fairly by their government.
under Macron's reforms, France will keep its public pension system where the current labor force cover the pensions of retired people but much needs to be done to make the system fairer, sustainable and more efficient, especially in a country with high life expectancy and an aging population. We have currently 42 different systems, different model between workers from the private sector and government, etc.
The basic problem is that even as the French live longer, many remain able to retire at early ages. This is breaking the budget. It's also deeply unfair to self-employed workers and those in private pension schemes. They pay their taxes and work long careers even as their fellow citizens retire early. Macron's reform would alter this status quo by unifying state pension plans under a central remit. Macron would also save money in pension programs by requiring most workers to remain employed until their early 60s.
Macron must not back down. Instead, like Margaret Thatcher against Arthur Scargill, or Napoleon at Austerlitz, Macron must seize and hold the initiative. He must use his vast parliamentary majority to push through these reforms at all costs.
contrary to the view of some American conservatives, who see these protest movements as a Tea Party-style revolt, Macron is in the right here. What's at stake is the fiscal stability of the Fifth Republic and the right of taxpayers to be treated fairly by their government.
under Macron's reforms, France will keep its public pension system where the current labor force cover the pensions of retired people but much needs to be done to make the system fairer, sustainable and more efficient, especially in a country with high life expectancy and an aging population. We have currently 42 different systems, different model between workers from the private sector and government, etc.
The basic problem is that even as the French live longer, many remain able to retire at early ages. This is breaking the budget. It's also deeply unfair to self-employed workers and those in private pension schemes. They pay their taxes and work long careers even as their fellow citizens retire early. Macron's reform would alter this status quo by unifying state pension plans under a central remit. Macron would also save money in pension programs by requiring most workers to remain employed until their early 60s.
Macron must not back down. Instead, like Margaret Thatcher against Arthur Scargill, or Napoleon at Austerlitz, Macron must seize and hold the initiative. He must use his vast parliamentary majority to push through these reforms at all costs.
