Thierry Breton criticizes freeze on French pension reform

Thierry Breton, the former European Commissioner for Internal Market, has criticized the decision to freeze France’s pension reform, which aimed to raise the legal retirement age to 64. The suspension resulted from budgetary negotiations with socialist groups and is set to last until January 1, 2028.

Breton described the move as putting an essential reform “in the freezer,” noting that the measure was intended to generate between 10 and 14 billion euros in annual savings. He warned that this delay creates a significant revenue gap that the government must now address through other means.

President Emmanuel Macron has indicated that the retirement age issue will remain a central pillar of French political debate and will likely be a primary responsibility for his successor. The freeze highlights the ongoing difficulty the government faces in managing public finances without an absolute parliamentary majority.