French Unions Demand Referendum on Pension Reform as Public Support Grows

Sophie Binet of the CGT calls for democratic action as 68% of French citizens favor a referendum and 73% of salaried workers oppose the 2023 reform.

A recent Ifop poll shows 68% of French citizens support a referendum on the 2023 pension reform, which raised the retirement age to 64.
The poll reveals strong opposition among salaried workers, with 73% favoring the reform's annulment and 61% advocating for a return to a retirement age of 62.
Sophie Binet, leader of the CGT union, has reiterated demands for either a parliamentary vote or a public referendum to address the widespread discontent.
The controversial reform was implemented in 2023 using the 49-3 procedure, bypassing a full parliamentary debate and fueling criticism of its democratic legitimacy.
Public distrust in pension capitalization remains high, with only 29% of respondents expressing confidence in market-based systems, favoring a solidarity-based approach instead.