Despite Union Comments PM Borne Calls Meeting 'An Important Step'

Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has delivered her response following a meeting with union leaders earlier today regarding controversial pension reforms that have sparked major strikes across the country. She stated that "I heard in turn each of the trade unions, their disagreement on raising the [pension] age. I was able to tell them again the need for this reform."

• Borne: "Other subjects were mentioned, long careers, hardship, professional careers, the employment of seniors, even if disagreements over age did not allow them to be discussed in depth”.
• The PM stated that the meeting was "an important step" and that the unions showed that they would be "available to work later on these subjects."
• Despite union heads statingthat they would refuse to resume talks with the gov't unless concessions were made on pension reform, Borne stated that "I do not plan to move forward without the social partners."