Why France is arguing about work, and the right to be lazy

“MACRON, TAKE your retirement, not ours!” read one placard at a recent protest march. “Metro, work, grave”, read another, on a more existential note. On February 7th yet more demonstrators took to the streets to protest against President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to raise the minimum pension age from 62 years to 64. The turnout was not as high as at two previous strike days in January. But all trade unions back further strikes. Most opposition parties, and a majority of the French, are also resolutely against the pension reform.