Macron’s defense won’t help either
The massive street protests in France after President Emmanuel Macron raised the retirement age from 62 to 64 should give pause to Republicans considering raising the retirement age to 70 here. But it won’t.
“The French are fiercely protective of their universal health care and generous pensions,” NPR’s Lisa Bryant told Morning Edition. “And it’s a choice society has made: Work hard, pay high taxes, but also retire at a relatively young age with a high standard of living.”
If only, right?
Meantime, Macron is trying to defend his decision. With this amusing hiccup:
Macron argues the retirement age must be raised to prevent the pension budget from running a deficit.
The exact cost of the watch was debated online, with some of Mr Macron’s critics suggesting it was worth €80,000.
But the Élysée Palace told French media the president was wearing a Bell & Ross BR V1-92 model, which is personalised with a coat of arms.
Prices online for this watch, without the personalisation, are between €1,660 and €3,300 (£1,460 and £2,900).
“He has been wearing it very regularly for more than a year and a half,” the palace added in a statement.
Mr Macron has long been criticised by his political rivals for supporting the wealthy.
Meanwhile, the rest of us are told we must support the Economy both earlier and later in life.