Paris (AFP)
The boss of the Modem and high commissioner for the Plan François Bayrou estimated Sunday that France "would not escape" a pension reform but that it should not be carried out "before" the presidential election of 2022.
"France will not escape it" with "the lengthening of the duration of the life, with the shortening of the years at work", declared on BFMTV Mr. Bayrou.
"But I do not believe that before the presidential election, in the heat of a presidential campaign, we can calmly lead a reform to its end," added the president of the Democratic Movement, known to be close to Emmanuel Macron.
Asked if the head of state would listen to him on this subject, he replied that Emmanuel Macron "listened to him more often than you think".
On a personal basis, the boss of the MoDem suggested that the French vote on this reform by referendum.
"The only way to avoid such a reform blocking the country is to say to the French + it is you who will decide +" by referendum, he said.
On the eve of a new televised address by Emmanuel Macron, Mr. Bayrou again pleaded in favor of "compulsory vaccination for everyone", while the government plans to make vaccination compulsory for caregivers only.
© 2021 AFP