Macron gives up future pension amid nationwide strikes

The decision came as France entered the 17th day of a social movement against the pension reform plan pressed ahead with by Macron's government, while the President has been celebrating Christmas with the French troops in Ivory Coast since Friday, Xinhua news agency reported.

"There is no desire to display" but "a desire for consistency" from the part of Macron, the Elysee told French news agency AFP.

"Consistency" means that the law on former presidents' pensions will no longer apply to any president in the future, said the Elysee.

Under the French law, former heads of state have a pension equivalent to the salary of a state councilor, or 6,220 euros (about 6,890 US dollars) per month. This amount is not subject to any age condition, term of office or income limit.

Macron's government wants to set up a single point-based pension system to replace the country's current complicated pension system that has 42 schemes for different sectors and professions.

The government argues that the new system would be simpler and fairer for all, but unions fear that citizens will have to work for longer and ultimately get lower pensions. Strikes have crippled the country's public transport and education for over two weeks.

Earlier this week, the government and unions had two days of negotiations without reaching a deal to break the deadlock as the unions have called for a massive demonstration on January 9.