This is unexpected support for the government in a context of massive protest against the pension reform, in particular by the artistic world. The famous singer Françoise Hardy indeed explained this Sunday to be in favor of the controversial bill, in an interview with the JDD. A changing point of view, while many celebrities are committed against.
“I am interested in economic realities and I understand that there are several imperative reasons to carry out a pension reform”, assures the 77-year-old artist.
A “tourist foil”
Françoise Hardy also denounces the “repeated strikes” which “worsen the economic situation” and make France a “tourist foil”. The interpreter of Le temps de l’amour was notably questioned about a potential signature on the platform of the world of culture – 300 personalities participated – asking for the immediate withdrawal of the reform.
“All European countries have set the retirement age at 65, 66 or 67, except ours, which has the highest public expenditure in Europe. (…) And then retirees are living longer and longer and, currently, we don’t even have two assets for one retiree”, tried to argue the one who has been discreet in the media since the announcement in 2019 of her laryngeal cancer.
“Neither from the right, and even less from the left”
“To tell you the truth, I am ashamed of what is happening in a France that allows itself to be manipulated and misinformed by extremists, left or right: the LFI, Nupes, Marine Le Pen…”, continues the singer who claims to feel “neither on the right – especially at the moment – and even less on the left”.
Unlike Françoise Hardy, many artists have already positioned themselves against the reform and still support the mobilizations such as the actresses Adèle Haenel and Corinne Masiero, or the rappers Médine and Hatik. The two singers accompanied by 48 other urban artists even met this Sunday to give a concert at Dock B, in Pantin, against the pension reform. All of the proceeds will be donated there for the strikers’ funds.