The French are protesting against raising the retirement age. Direct commentary by Marlena Malong

French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to put the pension system reform into effect has sparked anger in France. Some of them took to the streets. The largest protests took place in Paris, Montpellier, Rennes, Toulouse and Lyon.

Trade unions and some opposition parties said the protests would intensify. Thus, they want to put pressure on the authorities to abandon the pension reform. The state pension reform involves, first of all, raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 years.

Marlena Malong comments on events in France

Minister for Family Affairs and Social Policy Marlena Malong touched upon the situation caused by the plan to change the pension system in France.

What is happening on the streets of France today does not upset the EU, no special actions are being taken. Citizens are doing their job and the government is responding, Minister Marlena Malong said on Polish Radio’s Third Programme.

The retirement age will not change.

Minister Marlena Malong also touched upon the local situation. She recalled that the PO-PSL government raised the retirement age in Poland, while PiS returned to the previous decisions. The minister assured that the continued rule of the United Rights is a guarantee that this situation will continue.

- We try to respond to social needs. We have restored the retirement age. We hear what Donald Tusk is saying now said the Minister of Family and Social Policy, who is also responsible for pension policy. - We have introduced a choice. We have a historically low unemployment rate, we are introducing a system of incentives so that people who feel it remain professionally active and bring a new generation to the labor market, - added Marlena Malong.