According to a survey by the Elabe institute for the BFM TV channel, just 27% of interviewees backs the French government decision to work a bit longer.

In particular, just 18% supports to increase retirement age (from 62 to 64), while 9% supports to extend retirement age to 65.

The Elabe survey showed that 47% of participants champion to maintain the retirement age at 62, and 25% considers it is urgent to lower it.

French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated in his year-end message the new reform will be effective in 2023 as a necessity to bring balance to the retirement system, yet he is in favor of not harping on extending it to 65.

French unions, including those with good relations to the government, and left-wing parties strongly reject the extension of the retirement age.

Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne claimed this week that the 65-retirement age is not the focus of the reform, which will be presented to the Council of Ministers on January 23.

pll/ro/wmr