French president Emmanuel Macron has appointed Laurent Pietraszewski as pensions minister to replace Jean-Paul Delevoye, whose work laid the foundation for the French government’s reform plan.
Pietraszewski’s appointment was announced on the same day as officials in Macron’s entourage reportedly indicated the president would be “willing to improve” the proposed reform, with reference made to the contested introduction of a “pivot age” of 64, two years later than the official retirement age of 62.
Prime minister Edouard Philippe met with trade unions yesterday, but according to the head of the CFDT union, deemed more moderate than others, a solution to the disagreements had not yet been found.
The more hardline CGT said it remained “firmly determined” to fight for another pensions reform project.
Pietraszewski is a member of parliament from France’s North district, and has been spokesperson for Macron’s La République en Marche party in the National Assembly. He was named secretary of state in charge of pensions, attached to Agnès Buzyn’s ministry for solidary and health.
Delevoye, whose official position was high commissioner for pensions, resigned on Monday amid commotion linked to his having failed to disclose other roles.
France has been in the grip of public transport strikes over the planned pension reform, with large protests having taken place for several days as well.
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