French PM says he is determined to complete pension reform

Bertrand GUAY / AFP

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has announced his determination to see through his government's planned pensions reform, despite criticism.

"I'm determined to take this pension reform to its completion and I will do this respectfully and I will address people's concerns about it," Philippe told weekly Le Journal du Dimanche.

"If we do not implement a thorough, serious and progressive reform today, someone else will do one tomorrow, but really brutally."

He added that he a detailed outline of the pension reform plan will be presented on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, leader of hardline union CGT leader Philippe Martinez said he will fight until the plan is withdrawn.

It comes as French transport systems were paralysed for a fourth day on Sunday as unions at state railway SNCF and Paris public transport system RATP maintained their strike against the reform.

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