France has planned to reform its pension system, which has sparked major strikes. This sudden attempt at reform only reveals that the French economy may not be in the best condition. The labor unions and concerned citizens have vowed to strike until the pension reform is abandoned. These demonstrations will cause a halt to transportation. President Emmanuel Macron stated that he intended to reform the welfare and pension system. What this meant was that he was making it more favorable to business rather than the general public. If France wanted to have more financial security, it would have to end its military operations in West and North Africa. No suggestions have been made reducing military budgets, yet reducing social services seems acceptable to the Macron presidency. The pension reform legislation may encourage more supply side economic measures or more fiscal austerity. Workers and the elderly will suffer more of the burden compared to the corporate and business community. Such reform would cause major social problems, none which have been seen since the French Revolution or the establishment of the third republic. French history has been turbulent with swings between liberal transformation and conservative reaction. It appears that France could be going in a more reactionary political and economic path. So far, President Emmanuel Macron refuses to listen to the demands of protesters. Workers may have to delay their retirement for smaller pensions. An estimated 800,000 have taken to the streets and it could possibly escalate if no compromise is reached.
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