Pensions Reform: For Marylise Léon, This Is the Moment of Truth

As France continues to grapple with deep divisions over pension reform, Marylise Léon, the general secretary of the CFDT (French Democratic Confederation of Labour), has made a bold and urgent statement: “This is the moment of truth.” Her words, delivered during a highly anticipated interview with the press and in several public appearances, reflect the growing tension between labor unions and the French government over the future of retirement in the country. Léon, who took over the leadership of the CFDT from Laurent Berger in 2023, has emerged as a firm but pragmatic voice amid the heated national debate on pensions. With reform plans moving forward despite mass protests and widespread public opposition, Léon has chosen this moment to lay down a clear message: the government must re-engage in sincere dialogue or face the consequences of mounting social anger and disillusionment. Her statement comes as the controversial pension reform law, passed in 2023, begins to be implemented. The law, which raises the legal retirement age from 62 to 64, triggered one of the largest protest movements in France in recent years. Millions took to the streets across several months, uniting trade unions, students, and retirees in unprecedented demonstrations. While the government eventually forced the reform through using Article 49.3 of the Constitution — bypassing a full parliamentary vote — the social wounds remain open. For Léon and the CFDT, the key battle now is not just about reversing the law, but about restoring democratic respect, rebuilding trust, and protecting the dignity of workers who feel ignored and overruled. “This reform was not only unjust,” Léon stated. “It was imposed without respect for dialogue, without taking into account the fatigue, the hardship, or the aspirations of millions of workers.” She emphasizes that the CFDT, unlike more radical unions, has always been open to negotiation and reform — but only under conditions of fairness and transparency. What is at stake now, she argues, is the legitimacy of the government’s social contract. Behind Léon’s assertiveness lies a broader concern: the fracturing of public confidence in institutions. Polls consistently show that a majority of French citizens oppose the pension reform, and many feel increasingly disconnected from political elites. Léon warns that this disconnect could evolve into long-term political instability. “When citizens feel they’re no longer being heard,” she says, “they turn away from democracy.” This sentiment is echoed throughout the labor movement. Many union members and workers feel betrayed by a process that, from their perspective, prioritized fiscal discipline over human reality. The reform, they argue, disproportionately impacts those in physically demanding jobs, lower-income professions, and women — all of whom are more likely to begin working earlier and face greater difficulty extending their careers into their 60s. Léon has been particularly vocal about the need for recognition of hardship in the workplace. “We cannot treat a nurse, a construction worker, or a cleaner the same way we treat a corporate executive or a university professor,” she says. “Their bodies don’t age the same. Their burdens are not equal.” She also challenges the economic logic behind the reform, pointing out that France’s pension system is not in crisis, but could be strengthened through alternative revenue sources. The CFDT has proposed measures such as increasing contributions from high-income earners, better taxing dividend payouts, and addressing unemployment among older workers. In recent weeks, Léon has turned her attention to the implementation phase of the reform — particularly the government’s upcoming decrees, which will set many of the practical terms of retirement eligibility, hardship exemptions, and career-length calculations. The CFDT has demanded real consultation during this phase and warned that any attempt to push through unfair or opaque measures could spark renewed protests. “This is our red line,” Léon has warned. “If the government uses this moment to tighten conditions or hide information, it will only deepen the crisis.” Her message is gaining traction. Several other unions — even those that often disagree with the CFDT’s more moderate stance — have expressed support for Léon’s call for clarity, justice, and social respect. The inter-union front, which had coordinated months of joint demonstrations earlier in the year, may be fragile, but there’s a shared understanding that the next weeks are crucial. Meanwhile, the government is under pressure not only from unions but also from its own ranks. Some centrist and left-leaning members of President Emmanuel Macron’s coalition have voiced concern about the reform’s fallout and urged the executive to re-open dialogue. Macron and Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, however, have so far insisted that the law must be respected and enforced. Still, they’ve hinted at launching a new “social pact” with unions — a vague offer that Léon views with skepticism. “If a pact is based on exclusion and pre-decided outcomes,” she says, “it’s not a pact — it’s a masquerade.” For Léon personally, this moment represents the first true test of her leadership since taking over the CFDT. Her predecessor, Laurent Berger, was a widely respected figure in French politics, and Léon has had to assert her own style and priorities while navigating an even more polarized landscape. Her approach has combined firmness with realism, advocating for workers’ rights without resorting to inflammatory rhetoric. She’s also expanded the union’s focus beyond pensions to include broader issues like youth employment, climate transition, and social justice. But for now, she acknowledges, pensions remain the flashpoint — the symbol of a deeper battle over fairness and voice in modern France. The coming weeks will reveal whether Léon’s strategy pays off — whether the government chooses compromise over confrontation, and whether workers will once again flood the streets in protest. Whatever happens, her statement — “this is the moment of truth” — will likely define the tone of France’s social discourse for the rest of the year. For millions of French workers, retirees, and future pensioners, the truth they seek is simple: a fair system, built on respect, transparency, and shared sacrifice. Marylise Léon has made it clear that she intends to keep fighting for it.