The Daily

France’s Battle Over Retirement

Mar 16, 2023

In this insightful discussion, Roger Cohen, the Paris bureau chief for The New York Times, breaks down the significant protests in France against raising the retirement age from 62 to 64. He explores the deep cultural beliefs tied to work and retirement, revealing the social unrest behind the government's controversial proposal. Cohen highlights the festive yet serious nature of the protests and examines the political implications for President Macron, illustrating a clash of values regarding identity and social welfare in French society.

21:20

Creator website

Episode guests

Roger Cohen

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Macron's Proposal for Universal Retirement System in France

01:03

The Consequences of Macron's Pension Reform Bill

01:29

Intro

2min

Protests and Pension Reform in France

11min

Mattress Testing Insights and Political Uncertainties in France

2min

Retirement Reforms and Political Tensions in France

6min

Credit Suisse's Emergency Loan and Broader Banking Concerns

2min

This episode contains strong language

Millions of people have taken to the streets in France to protest a government effort to raise the retirement age to 64, from 62, bringing the country more in line with its European neighbors.

Today, as Parliament holds a key vote on the proposal, we look into why the issue has hit such a nerve in French society.

Guest: Roger Cohen, the Paris bureau chief for The New York Times.

Background reading:

After large protests, all eyes were on the French Parliament on Thursday as it prepared to vote on the measure to increase the retirement age by two years.
Here are some of the reasons so many people in France are protesting the proposals.

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