The majority of French people reject pension reform

According to the poll conducted by the French Institute of Public Opinion (IFOP) for the weekly Le Journal du Dimanche, three out of 10 of those interviewed support the project that will be discussed by the Council of Ministers on January 23, before reaching the National Assembly. In early February.

With the exception of the followers of the ruling Renacimiento party, which has 76% support, and among the conservatives (Los Republicanos) with 51% in the political forces, the rejection of the initiative is strong.

Hence the opposition is broadly majority in the organizations of the left-wing Française Insomissa and the Communist, Socialist and Ecological Green Party of Europe, and in the far right (National Group).

According to opinion polls, among the eight pension reforms promoted in France since 1993, the current one is the most rejected.

In this sense, the research shows that only 24 percent of active workers support the project, and half of those who say “yes” are among retirees.

The reform proposes, in addition to extending the retirement age from 62 to 64 years, increasing the contribution period to 43 years from 2027 and abolishing private pension systems.

The IFOP survey showed that disavowal is strong for increasing retirement age, with seven out of 10 with this position, higher than for those related to contribution (60%).

For the institute’s director of opinion, Frédéric Dabi, the government is losing the battle, “but not completely lost,” because some well-designed countermeasures can mitigate hostility toward the initiative.

On Thursday, the first major movement against pension reform in France is scheduled, with marches and strikes called by unions, and pressure measures accompanied by left-wing parties.

Regarding the end result, 68% of those interviewed by IFOP for Le Journal du Dimanche believe that, despite everything, the reform will pass, while 32 are confident that it will be neutralized.

jha/wmr