French PM refuses to back down on pension reform plan

France's prime minister on Wednesday refused to back down on his government's controversial pension reform plans in the face of a crippling week-old transport freeze. Edouard Philippe said he stood "firm" on the principle of his proposed pension changes but that he remained open to discussions on the measures. Earlier he sought to strike a conciliatory note as he unveiled details of the plan to overhaul the country's pension system, but failed to appease striking unions which vowed to expand the transport stoppages. "I am firm on the principle... of a system that will concern everyone... (that will be) truly universal," he told the TF1 television channel. Public transport networks in Paris and other cities have been paralysed by the walkout, which began last Thursday and left shops, hotels and restaurants fearing for their bottom line. Announcing the new plan, Philippe said the government would pursue its objective of creating a new points-based pension system that fuses the country's 42 existing plans into one, but said the reform was "not a battle". He declared the new-look scheme would be fairer and guarantee better basic coverage for the most vulnerable workers, insisting...