Macron wants French pension plan implemented by end of year

By SYLVIE CORBET and ELAINE GANLEY
Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron is stubbornly resisting growing discontent on the streets of France. He said on Wednesday that the pension bill he pushed through without a vote in parliament to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 must be implemented by the end of the year. After his interview broadcast on national television, critics attacked Macron describing him as “self-satisfied,” “out of touch” and “offensive.” He said the bill will “continue its democratic path” as the Constitutional Council needs to review it in the coming weeks. It was the first time that Macron spoke publicly since his government forced the pension bill through parliament last week.