France’s President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled his manifesto in a bid to win a second term. In a major campaign event on Thursday, he promised to boost the national economy. He also pledged to improve France’s reaction to global crises and fight inequality.
He also vowed to push the retirement age from 62 to 65 and added that French citizens who started working at a younger age will be able to retire before 65. The 44-year-old leader rose in polls since Russia invaded Ukraine-- Macron was quick to condemn Russia’s attack on Ukraine. While some of his opponents have known to be pro-Putin. Macron is a clear favourite to win next month’s elections. And if he does win, it would make the first president to win a second term in 20 years.
“We are at a tipping point where we can make a real difference,” Macron told the Guardian. Macron said he would continue to cut taxes for businesses and households and added that people must work longer to safeguard France’s generous pension system. He also said he would set the pension at a minimum of 1,100 euros a month.
He also said that he would overhaul unemployment benefits, which would require unemployed people to undertake work or training for 15-20 hours a week. And added that all social benefits for unemployment, childcare and housing would come under one centralized system.