As labour groups look to bring the country "to a standstill" on Tuesday, AFP looks at what's at stake for the president, the unions and the country at large. Macron's flagship proposal would raise the minimum retirement age from its current level of 62 to 64, bringing France more into line with its EU neighbours, most of which have pushed back the retirement age to 65 or higher. The unions are backed by the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) political party, which wants the retirement age lowered to 60, as well as the Socialists and Greens. "For Emmanuel Macron, pulling back would be an abdication," senior right-wing senator Bruno Retailleau, who supports the reform, said on Sunday. The government was expecting a rough ride -- few major changes happen in France without protests.

Source: The Star March 07, 2023 21:32 UTC