France: Mayor claims economy can afford retirement at 60

Bally Bagayoko, the mayor of Saint-Denis and a member of La France Insoumise (LFI), asserted that France's economy can afford to lower the retirement age to 60. Speaking on France 2, Bagayoko defended the party's pledge, which was reiterated by Jean-Luc Mélenchon at a recent rally.

Opponents, including politicians from Les Républicains and Horizons, have criticized the proposal as unrealistic given the country's deteriorating public finances. They advocate for raising the retirement age to 65 or 67. However, Bagayoko countered that significant inequalities must be addressed, specifically targeting billionaires. He stated that redistributing their substantial fortunes is crucial for the Republic to correct disparities and fund such measures.

Bagayoko, who has become a prominent figure in the LFI party since his election in March, emphasized that the economy "must give itself the means" to implement the retirement reform. He promised that the "ideal aspirations of the population will be translated into action with concrete proposals." The party also advocates for raising the minimum wage to 1,700 euros and supports greater autonomy for New Caledonia and Corsica.