Bayrou Rules Out Returning Retirement Age to 62 Amid Union Outrage

French Prime Minister François Bayrou has firmly rejected calls to revert the retirement age back to 62, emphasizing the financial challenges facing the pension system. His decision has sparked outrage among unions and opposition parties, who accuse him of betrayal and undermining ongoing negotiations aimed at reforming the unpopular pension law that raised the age to 64. Despite opening discussions with labor unions and employers to seek a consensus on potential changes, Bayrou maintains that a single minimum retirement age is not the only solution for ensuring the pension system's sustainability. Critics, including union representatives, have expressed disbelief at his stance, arguing it contradicts earlier commitments to explore all options during the ongoing consultations. The government is under pressure to deliver a balanced pension system by 2030 while managing significant public discontent over the current law. Bayrou's statements signal a challenging path ahead for reform discussions as he navigates between political demands and fiscal realities.