Macron waives presidential pension amid Christmas strike chaos

President gives up automatic pension given to French leaders as union standoff continues

Emmanuel Macron is to give up his own generous presidential pension in an attempt to calm anger over politicians' privileges, as French transport strikes caused chaos for Christmas travellers.

With rail strikes continuing into their third week and travellers scrambling to get to home for the holidays, Macron, who turned 42 this weekend, made the symbolic move to become the first president in more than 50 years to give up the automatic pension of more than a6,000 a month that all French leaders receive after leaving office, regardless of age or wealth.