Retirement age: Éric Ciotti hopes for RN 'evolution'

Éric Ciotti, president of the Union des droites pour la République (UDR), expressed his hope for an evolution in the National Rally's (RN) position regarding pension reform. Ciotti, who advocates for raising the retirement age and implementing a capitalization element in the pension system, stated this in an interview with Le Journal du dimanche.

Ciotti, maintaining a stance similar to his previous position as leader of Les Républicains, believes "it will be necessary to work longer." He previously supported raising the legal retirement age to 64 and advocates for adding a "capitalization tier" to the current pay-as-you-go system.

This position contrasts with that of RN leader Marine Le Pen, who, prior to the summer, defended a return to the retirement age of 62, or even 60 for those who started working early. While RN's Jordan Bardella had shown positions closer to Ciotti's, Le Pen remains the party's presidential candidate. Ciotti noted that he has discussed the sensitive issue of pensions with his RN allies "on several occasions."

"I know that this is a subject that is under consideration within their party, and I hope it will mark an evolution compared to past positions," Ciotti said. He added that the nationalist candidate "will have to build a project of unity and rupture commensurate with the gravity of the country's situation." Despite these differences, Ciotti reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Marine Le Pen's presidential bid, stating he would "loyally and strongly" back her victory.