The French will work two years longer before they retire, announced Prime Minister Elizabeth Bourne, quoted by Reuters, BTA reported.

The Prime Minister has detailed an unpopular reform of the pension system that could lead to strikes and will test President Emmanuel Macron's ability to make changes.

The French government presents the pension reform against the background of strong public discontent

The long-delayed comprehensive reform raises the retirement age to 64, a move opposed by four out of five French people, according to an Odoxa survey.

This comes at a time when many of the country's residents are already facing a cost-of-living crisis.

"I am aware that changing the pension system raises questions and raises concerns among the French," commented Born, adding that the government is working to convince the country's residents that the reform is necessary.

"Today we propose a project to balance our pension system, a project that is fair," she emphasized.

A comprehensive overhaul of the pension system has been a central pillar of Macron's reform agenda since he entered the Elysee Palace in 2017. Macron delayed his first attempt at reform in 2020 as the government struggled to cope with the COVID pandemic -19.

The second attempt won't be any easier.

French union leaders will meet later this evening to discuss how to respond to the proposed changes with protests and strikes.

Macron and Bourne's reform will also need the approval of parliament, in which they do not have an absolute majority.

That seems a more achievable goal than it did a few weeks ago after the government made some concessions to the conservative Republican Party.

However, the party did not get everything it wanted and is not united on the issue, so every vote will count.

With one of the lowest retirement ages in the industrialized world, France spends far more on pensions — nearly 14 percent of gross domestic product, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

In practice, according to the government's proposal, the age at which everyone can retire and receive a pension in France will be gradually raised by three months a year, starting in September.

This will reach 63 years and 3 months in 2027 and the target age of 64 years in 2030.

To receive a full pension, from 2027, 43 years of work experience will be required.

"We have to face reality and find solutions to preserve our social model," Bourne said, stressing that France's European neighbors have also raised the retirement age in recent years.

Mathilde Pano of the left-wing France Disobedient party said the plan was "archaic, unjust and cruel".

The French government is forecasting an additional profit of 17.7 billion euros by 2030 thanks to a proposed pension reform, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said today.