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Emmanuel Macron pleaded during the 20h France 2 newspaper pleaded for a change in the calculation of age at retirement. AFP Photos / France Televisions

The French government is expected on this hot topic: the reform of pensions. On the sidelines of the G7, Emmanuel Macron suggested a new way of calculating the age of retirement, a position that already elicits a lot of comments.

This is an unexpected turnaround Emmanuel Macron. After last April, in favor of a pivotal retirement age of 64 , the President suggests calculating the moment when an employee can claim his pension rights according to the number of years which he worked.

In order to " be fair in terms of contributions ... I prefer an agreement on the duration of the contribution rather than on the age " argues the president arguing that " if you have an agreement on the duration, if you start later, you finish later, and when you start earlier you leave earlier . " However, a report by High Commissioner Jean-Paul Delevoye had made its recommendations in mid-July which also went in the direction of a pivotal age.

►Also read: France: Delevoye sets "age of equilibrium" at age 64 for retirement

First criticisms of this calculation

A more accurate calculation assures the president, citing the case of nurses and teachers, occupations that have been widely seen on the street in recent months. Already commented, his remarks are not to the taste of the president of Medef. " Retirement is not ideology is facts, we will not save the age of departure, " said Geoffroy Roux de Bezieux. By stating that for him, it amounted to " lying by omission to the French ".

In contrast, MP Insoumis Adrien Quattenens reminded him that if life expectancy increases in France, life expectancy in good health remained the same and labor productivity had increased.

Economy Minister Bruno Lemaire has timed the president's statements by assuring that this " president's position " would not sweep away the time needed for ambitious reform.

We must take the necessary time to explain to the French what we want. Our democracy needs listening and dialogue. It is a question of method and respect for the French. #Retirement #TheMatinitalLCI pic.twitter.com/k1tX6FAH3x

Bruno Le Maire (@BrunoLeMaire) August 27, 2019