French trade unions called for new strikes Wednesday after President Nicolas Sarkozy said he still plans to raise the national retirement age. The development comes after Tuesday’s strikes in which about 1 million people took part.
The protests have paralyzed air and rail transport around the country. Sarkozy has suggested some exceptions to the later retirement age, but will still increase the minimum retirement age for the majority of French citizens from 60 to 62 by 2018.
“There is no return on this point. Working a little longer is the most reasonable way," Sarkozy said a statement. “I am attentive to the concerns that have been expressed,” according to Reuters.
Sarkozy has called on the government to push the bill to Parliament as soon as possible.
