Sarkozy vs. the Unions: Who Will Win?

In the wake of the September 7th strikes, Sarkozy’s administration has succeeded in passing the retirement pension reform through the Assemblée Nationale, effectively raising the retirement age from 60 to 62 by 2018 with plenty of rules and guidelines that specify conditions such as less stringent requirements for those in particularly difficult jobs. According to the Figaro article, Socialist Party Head Martine Aubry was angered that Sarkozy seems to have influence over Parliament, the opposition, the media…shouting that “there is no longer a Republic!” Her anger is no surprise given the Socialists’ position and her plan to bring the retirement age back down to 60 if elected in 2012. Even though Strauss-Kahn could be a strong candidate, that is not inevitable for the Socialists. Sarkozy is losing popularity amid this and other “scandals”, as the Economist states in its in-depth article. It suggests that Sarkozy pushes ahead, as the state pension-fund faces a shortfall of €42 billion ($53 billion) by 2018. France’s economy needs this reform and the retirement age will likely be raised again, given the dire economic situation in Europe. Which makes it all the more curious how unions are planning another strike on September 23, which for me is protesting against the forces of gravity and mathematical logic. We will see how this plays out, with the consequences of this reform likely to be for generations unless the Socialists win in 2012 and somehow reverse it. Very active within the American community of France, Michael Barrett is a communications consultant, freelance translator and English teacher. He writes a must-read blog for expats called American Expat In France. Michael can be reached by email here.