> Additionally, the recent reforms to the pension system here pissed many young people off
> What realistic alternative was there to fixing the (fiscally) unsustainable pension system
I think there are multiple alternatives. To make people work up to 70, when Men have a life expectancy in average of 78 and Women, in average 86, is probably not the most attractive one.
Do you think it makes sense to contribute 9.3% of your salary every month (well, your employer contributes roughly the same, so about 18% in total) for around 40 years (assuming you start working at 30, which is already late), only to enjoy it for an average of 8 years if you're a man?
For instance, if you earns, 3k/month, your whole life, and a 2% year annual return in a saving account, over 40 years, that's roughly 300k in contributions. Spread over 8 years, that's about 4.5k/month. And no, your pension will never will be even 2k/month with a salary of 3k/month.. At this point, will just make sense to become civil servant.. full pension, private insurance, depending of the job, 40 days+ holidays/year..