Half of the French Population Says the Government Must Back Down on Retirement Age

According to a BVA opinion poll published on Thursday Sept. 9 by the Canal+ television network, 55% of the French population thinks that the government must back down on retirement age, following the Sept. 7 trade union day of action.

80% of those polled say that the day of strikes and demonstrations against the planned retirement reform (raising the legal retirement age from 60 to 62) was “rather a success” for the trade unions and the opposition parties. 19% see it as “rather a failure.” (1% have no opinion.)

Most of the French (62%) think that “there must be a follow-up” with more days of action. On the other hand, some 37% feel that “it’s necessary to stop now.” (1% have no opinion.)

In response to the question as to whether the government must back down on its decision to raise the legal retirement age following the Sept. 7 day of strikes, 55% of those polled say yes, 43% say no. (2% have no opinion.)