The point strikes among French railway workers are in the third week, causing havoc in Christmas traffic.

The strikers are protesting President Emmanuel Macron's plans for a new pension reform.

He wants to take away the special benefits that, for example, public employees at the railway have.

Many different agreements

Macron and the government want to get rid of some 40 special labor agreements to create a new and more uniform system that applies to different sectors - everyone from railroad workers and energy sector workers to lawyers and employees at the Paris Opera is covered by the reform.

Under the current system, certain groups can retire at the age of 55, including some locomotive and subway operators with special agreements.

The Government of France considers that the high number of special agreements means different calculations and retirement ages and is therefore not sustainable as the population grows older.

Kravall Police are monitoring the Gare de Lyon railway station in Paris as railroad workers demonstrate a rise in retirement age. Photo: AP December 23, 2019

Raises to 64 years

However, the government has agreed to maintain the current retirement age at 62, but believes that one must work up to 64 if one wants to enjoy full pension, which has caused heavy protests.

But the plans for a new pension system have also shifted the focus of the debate to the French president's own lifestyle.

Among other things, he has been criticized for having built a swimming pool in the president's summer residence and for having procured precious new carpets and curtains for the presidential palace Élysée.

Police and protesters outside Gare de Lyon train station in Paris. Photo: AFP December 23, 2019

Now Macron has made a statement that he plans to forgo his future pension.

French presidents are guaranteed € 6,000 in pension per month regardless of age or wealth. 42-year-old Emmanuel Macron states that as the first president of over 50, he does not intend to receive the money.

Le Parisien magazine celebrates Macron's play while the left calls the statement a PR trick.