On Tuesday another major day of action took place on the streets of France after President Emmanuel Macron’s risked his government’s future to push through a controversial raise to the retirement age for most workers.

Beyond pension reform, demonstrators are fighting for their preferred way of life, defined by work-life balance and a robust social safety net. It’s one that many feel Macron has been dismantling since he was elected, with his priority of making France a more globally competitive economic power.

This week on Nothing is Foreign, we look at the current instability in France due to the ongoing pension reform protests, how they challenge Macron’s vision for the country, and what that might mean for France’s political future.

Featuring:Rim-Sarah Alouane, French legal scholar and civil liberties expert

For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/nothing-is-foreign-transcripts-listen-1.6732059