Despite the prime minister's pledge that the talks would continue, trade unions have already voiced sharp criticism against the move. It is as yet unclear whether they will even want to pursue further negotiations.

The pension reform bill aims to raise the retirement age to 65 for both men and women and appears largely harmonised, even though there are differences regarding the retirement conditions workers nearing retirement and those who entered the labour force before age 18.

The labour market reform bill, however, appears stuck. The unions are unhappy about the government's insistence to loosen firing rules, while representatives of business claim the solutions fall well short of their wishes.