France’s unions have put up one hell of a fight – and sent a message to the rest of Europe | Cole Stangler

President Macron is facing a titanic battle to secure his pension changes. This standoff sets the tone for future battles elsewhere

If French democracy were in a healthier state, Emmanuel Macron's pension reform legislation would have already been scrapped by now. Broadly unpopular from the outset, his plans to raise the country's retirement eligibility age from 62 to 64 have triggered a protest movement - historically large even by French standards - lasting nearly two months.

Many in the streets view the bill as a breach of the social contract: workers in France contribute a hefty share of earnings over the course of their careers to support a relatively generous and effective retirement system. Lifting the eligibility floor amounts to a very real cut in benefits, and one that will disproportionately hurt the least well-off. If you talk to the protesters, they'll tell you this reform is cruel and unjust.