Economist Podcasts Not shy and not retiring: pension reform in France
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Mar 22, 2023 
Join Sophie Petre, Paris bureau chief for The Economist, and John Parker, international correspondent, as they tackle pressing issues in France and Russia. They discuss the explosive pension reform protests in France sparked by Macron's controversial retirement age increase. Petre offers insights into the widening political unrest, while Parker delves into Russia's demographic crisis, worsened by the war in Ukraine. The conversation touches on societal hesitations regarding childbirth and highlights the artistic legacy of the iconic mime, Marcel Marceau.
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Pension Reform Controversy
- French President Emmanuel Macron invoked a constitutional provision to bypass a vote on his pension reform.
- This sparked anger and protests across France, along with no-confidence votes.
No-Confidence Votes
- Macron's government narrowly survived two no-confidence votes regarding the pension reform.
- This demonstrates significant political discontent with the reform and Macron’s approach.
Reason for No-Confidence Vote
- The pension reform seeks to raise the minimum retirement age in France from 62 to 64.
- Macron's minority government resorted to Article 49.3 to push it through without a standard vote.