Paris, France - January 17, 2025 French Prime Minister François Bayrou launched Friday a process of consultation in which unions and employers will be able to negotiate until the end of May on the financing of pensions, with the possibility, at least theoretically, to modify the contested reform of 2023. “It is unimaginable that this issue so important for French society be resolved with a test of strength,” Bayrou said in statements to the press at the end of the meeting of just over two hours, in which he was flanked by the ministers of Economy, Labor and Public Function. Camera: EDGAR SAPIÑA MANCHADO. FOOTAGE OF THE EXIT OF THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT, UNIONS AND EMPLOYERS FROM THE MEETING AT THE LABOR MINISTRY ON A NEW PENSION REFORM. SOUNDBITES OF FRANÇOIS BAYROU, FRENCH PRIME MINISTER, AND SOPHIE BINET, GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE SECOND LARGEST UNION IN FRANCE, THE CONFÉDÉRATION GÉNÉRALE DU TRAVAIL (CGT), AFTER THE MEETING. TRANSLATIONS: François Bayrou, French Prime Minister. - It has been a very interesting meeting, and from my point of view very encouraging, because all the organizations, it should be noted that less than 72 hours after the announcement of this initiative, all the organizations were here. - I have asked the Court of Auditors and Mr. Moscovici, the first president of the Court of Auditors, with whom I met yesterday, to carry out the evaluation himself and he will finally present this evaluation of the pension system on February 19. But this period will not be wasted, because I have asked all the organizations to submit the questions they have, the issues they want to see addressed, and even to start making proposals. We will then have 3 months to prepare a report at the end of May on the possibilities of total or partial progress that we will find. Sophie Binet, Secretary General of the General Confederation of Labor (CGT). - Today's meeting confirmed that the mobilization has not turned the page and that the pension reform cannot remain as it is. The CGT has once again insisted on the need to repeal this pension reform. The Prime Minister confirmed his commitment to give democracy the last word. This is very important for the CGT, as it is essential that the matter be referred to the members of Parliament. - This morning's roundtable also served to check the extent of disagreements at this stage. Employers have reiterated their commitment to the reform (currently in force). They have insisted on their refusal to increase the funding of our pension schemes. Some employers' organizations have even called for a funded system that entrusts our pay-as-you-go scheme to funding. [Restrictions: Spain, Latin America, or the U.S. Hispanic market]