[The Editors' Verdict] Macron's Resolve That Challenged Even the 'Identity of France'

French President Emmanuel Macron, who risked his political career to push through pension reform, has ultimately succeeded. As a result, the pension eligibility age in France will increase from 62 to 64, and the required contribution period will extend from 42 to 43 years. This marks the first change in 13 years since President Nicolas Sarkozy raised the pension age from 60 to 62 in 2010.

When it became uncertain whether the pension reform bill would pass in the parliament, President Macron took a gamble by invoking his special presidential powers to bypass the lower house vote. The political backlash has been significant. Resistance from citizens opposing the pension reform remains strong, and President Macron’s approval rating has plummeted to 28%.

Why are the French so sensitive about delaying the pension eligibility age by two years? For the French, pensions mean more than just retirement benefits. On the 7th, during the height of the pension reform debate, The New York Times published an article titled "The Fight Over Retirement in France Is a Matter of Identity." It explained that the French attachment to retirement is a complex issue involving history, identity, social pride, and hard-won labor rights.

The history of pensions in France dates back to 1673, when Colbert, the finance minister under King Louis XIV, established a pension fund for disabled naval officers, providing pensions to professional soldiers. Over time, the pension system expanded to include clergy, civil servants, and others.

After World War II, in 1945, the National Resistance Council was established, marking the birth of the modern pension system. At that time, the retirement age for full pension benefits was 65. Later, in 1981, during a period of strong socialist movements, President Fran?ois Mitterrand lowered the pension age to 60 to strengthen workers’ rights.

From then on, the dream of a comfortable retirement became a pillar supporting the lives of the French people. Currently, the average French pensioner receives 75% of their pre-retirement income and enjoys a prosperous life. Only 4.4% of French retirees live below the poverty line, the lowest rate among the 38 OECD countries.

The British magazine The Economist stated, "Along with the 35-hour workweek, early retirement has become a national myth in France," adding, "Any attempt to force the French to work longer has sparked anger and resistance." President Jacques Chirac’s 1995 attempt to raise the pension age ultimately failed. President Sarkozy lost power after implementing pension reforms.

As the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age, pensions have become a significant financial burden on France. The French pension system is expected to run a deficit of 1.8 billion euros starting this year, which will grow to 13.5 billion euros by 2030. Pension expenditures have risen to 15.9% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Pension reform in France has become an unavoidable task. This is why President Macron declared, "I made a choice that helps the country rather than political gain."

The pension reform process in France overlaps with recent developments in South Korea. Earlier this year, President Yoon Suk-yeol identified pension reform as one of the three major tasks. However, with the general election approaching next year, discussions have stalled. Is it too much to hope for politicians in our country who prioritize national interest over politics?