Sarkozy refuses to retreat on pension reform

According to a statement from the Elysee Palace following the weekly cabinet meeting, Sarkozy repeated his firmness on this issue to his ministers.

He laid out the difficulties burdening the present retirement system, saying France was "at a time when one pension out of 10 is financed by debt," therefore the reform was one of the most important programs for the country.

Sarkozy said he understood the concerns behind a massive strike on Tuesday, pension reform was "essential".

Called by major labor unions, about 2.5 million people went on strike across France on Tuesday protesting the ongoing pension reform.

Saying he was "attentive" to the expressed concerns, the president reiterated the official retirement age would be prolonged by four months per year, reaching 62 in 2018.

"It's out of the question to return on this point," he insisted in his declaration.

Sarkozy said making French people work longer was the most reasonable way to solve the pension finance problem, and a new retirement age would be "the first axis of this reform."

The National Assembly, the lower house of French parliament, started examining the text of the reform bill on Tuesday; Kazinform cites Xinhua.

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