When asked about pension reform, a much-criticised legacy of the previous Macronist government, Michel Barnier said he wanted it “financial framework [soit] preserved”, but left the door open “repair” pension reform. “I want to trust the social partners to improve this law”, he stated. “I always think that the time we spend listening, having dialogue, consulting, respecting others, is not wasted time,” he assured, recalling that he was the forerunner of the National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP) created thanks to the “Barnier law” of 1995.