France in turmoil (again)

[JagLover]

While Macron is a colossal Tw*t it is hard to get worked up about the horror of working till 64. There are even exemptions for the working class who started work earlier who can still retire as early as 60.

I suppose you could criticise the way it was passed into law.

[andyA700]

smifffymoto said:

Here in France the locals say this could be as big as the 1968 student riots.

I bloody hope not because friends who remember say the country was paralysed for months.

They are pissed about having to work longer,they are equally as pissed that Macron,as they see it,side stepped the democratic process.

Edited by smifffymoto on Tuesday 21st March 20:55

They absolutely hate Macron. Back in 2018, I was talking to a French mate who owns a vineyard in Champagne (small Grand Cru stuff, very well priced). He employs French workers on the land, lots of regulars, varying ages, he treats them like family. He was saying that Macron lacks empathy, he is arrogant and greedy, regards himself as superior to ordinary people.
The big problem is the French political system, the dispaity between constituencies is huge. In theory they should be around 100,000 constituents each, but in reality they vary from 6,000 up to 188,000.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Assembly_(F...

[andyA700]

CoolHands said:

He reminds me of President Mayor Khan

I think that is a pretty good comparison.

[Murph7355]

andyA700 said:

They absolutely hate Macron. Back in 2018, I was talking to a French mate who owns a vineyard in Champagne (small Grand Cru stuff, very well priced). He employs French workers on the land, lots of regulars, varying ages, he treats them like family. He was saying that Macron lacks empathy, he is arrogant and greedy, regards himself as superior to ordinary people.
The big problem is the French political system, the dispaity between constituencies is huge. In theory they should be around 100,000 constituents each, but in reality they vary from 6,000 up to 188,000.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Assembly_(F...

I suspect constituency size is only one factor (and may be a symptom rather than a cause).

The disparity between types of constituency will be huge too. It's just like here and many Western democracies...concentrations of people in relatively small areas with one set of "needs"...others spread more liberally and with different needs as a result. Trying to come up with policies that suit everyone will be difficult.

It's interesting that their retirement age is 62. Makes you wonder what they're not spending money on, and/or how much they're paying in to allow that sort of balance - I doubt the issues of an ageing population etc are much different in France than anywhere else. This move may be like a lot of countries need to do in order to mitigate future unaffordability...?

[markymarkthree]

As much as i dislike the French, i do luv em really.

[bmwmike]

In France its currently 42 full years of contributions to get the full state pension, rising to 43 years. Its that which dictates the age someone can retire at (if they want full pension), which is different to our system which is 35 full years (iirc) but have to wait till 67 regardless of qualifying years.

[ChocolateFrog]

markymarkthree said:

As much as i dislike the French, i do luv em really.

There's definitely a certain sense of admiration.

We'd just roll over and moan about it while meekly accepting the shafting.

[smifffymoto]

bmwmike said:

In France its currently 42 full years of contributions to get the full state pension, rising to 43 years. Its that which dictates the age someone can retire at (if they want full pension), which is different to our system which is 35 full years (iirc) but have to wait till 67 regardless of qualifying years.

Another big problem is that the state pension is the only pension in town.

Private pensions don’t exist.

[deckster]

Earthdweller said:

TheLurker said:

Can't even find anything about it on the BBC website!

Quelle surprise!

Be honest now. How hard did you look?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/search?q=france+pensions&amp...

[mwstewart]

ChocolateFrog said:

markymarkthree said:

As much as i dislike the French, i do luv em really.

There's definitely a certain sense of admiration.

We'd just roll over and moan about it while meekly accepting the shafting.

It's true.

[bloomen]

ChocolateFrog said:

There's definitely a certain sense of admiration.

We'd just roll over and moan about it while meekly accepting the shafting.

I like their willingness to coat every municipal building in st and blow things up.

I also like Macron's unashamed arrogance and loftiness. It wouldn't last one second here.

It only can go so far though. He's screwed the pooch bypassing parliament big time, can't believe he thought that would wash.

[J210]

deckster said:

Be honest now. How hard did you look?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/search?q=france+pensions&amp...

Not many videos on BBC of the police attacking protestors...

[bmwmike]

smifffymoto said:

bmwmike said:

In France its currently 42 full years of contributions to get the full state pension, rising to 43 years. Its that which dictates the age someone can retire at (if they want full pension), which is different to our system which is 35 full years (iirc) but have to wait till 67 regardless of qualifying years.

Another big problem is that the state pension is the only pension in town.

Private pensions don’t exist.

WOW! Didn't know that. Surprised.

[Pitre]

smifffymoto said:

bmwmike said:

In France its currently 42 full years of contributions to get the full state pension, rising to 43 years. Its that which dictates the age someone can retire at (if they want full pension), which is different to our system which is 35 full years (iirc) but have to wait till 67 regardless of qualifying years.

Another big problem is that the state pension is the only pension in town.

Private pensions don’t exist.

However, state pension is MUCH higher in France than here. Something like 75% of final salary iirc....

[Countdown]

ChocolateFrog said:

markymarkthree said:

As much as i dislike the French, i do luv em really.

There's definitely a certain sense of admiration.

We'd just roll over and moan about it while meekly accepting the shafting.

Not all of us. JSO and XR are (or were) happy to engage in Direct Action.

[nickfrog]

smifffymoto said:

Another big problem is that the state pension is the only pension in town.

Private pensions don’t exist.

There are a plethora of private pension solutions and providers in France used by millions of workers. Similar fiscal benefits to the UK private pension facilities.

[JagLover]

Countdown said:

Not all of us. JSO and XR are (or were) happy to engage in Direct Action.

We're talking real protest here not a few dozen Crusties with wall to wall coverage in the media.

[Pitre]

nickfrog said:

smifffymoto said:

Another big problem is that the state pension is the only pension in town.

Private pensions don’t exist.

There are a plethora of private pension solutions and providers in France used by millions of workers. Similar fiscal benefits to the UK private pension facilities.

Maybe not occupational pensions? Just your own personal pension?

[nickfrog]

Pitre said:

Maybe not occupational pensions? Just your own personal pension?

Plenty of choice for individuals too. PER individuel.
A lot go through the Assurance Vie route too, which is ideal for private pension provision, particularly from a fiscal perspective.

[Gargamel]

Just back from Paris, where there is three weeks worth of garbage on the streets, so bad the locals are burning it in the streets.

Stinking mounds of garbage piled up against walls and in the squares.

A right mess.