France’s Macron faces tough choices on pension reform

Subject

French pension reforms.

Significance

President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial pension reform plans came to a halt in March. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Macron now has a crucial decision to make: to deliver on a key 2017 election pledge and prove that he is a reforming president, or focus everything on tackling the pandemic and rebuilding France’s society and economy ahead of the 2022 elections.

Impacts

• Failure to recover quickly from the pandemic could well trigger anti-government protests and social unrest.
• A strong economic recovery is now the key factor determining Macron’s re-election chances.
• The defection of seven En Marche deputies weakens Macron in the legislature and creates pressure to adopt more left-wing policies.