In a bold move to tackle France's growing debt, Prime Minister François Bayrou has proposed cutting two public holidays—Easter Monday and 8 May. This suggestion has sparked a fierce backlash from political rivals, particularly the left and far-right, as many French citizens cherish their national holidays. The goal is to increase productivity by requiring workers to be on the job two additional days without pay, a shift that faces significant resistance in a country renowned for its labor rights.
Although France boasts an average number of 11 public holidays per year—a figure similar to Germany and the US—the uproar is tangible. Citizens look forward to their long weekends, especially in May, which often results in a series of extended breaks. Comparatively, France’s national holiday count is lower than in other European nations like Slovakia, which has 15.
Historically, this isn't the first time holidays have been proposed for cuts: in 2003, Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin initiated a Day of Solidarity by removing Whit Monday from the holiday calendar. Critics argue that such proposals risk erasing important historical moments.
Despite the pushback, Bayrou insists on the urgency of addressing France’s staggering €3.3 trillion debt, reminding citizens that the nation accumulates €5,000 in debt per second. Although his proposals face skepticism, the public discussion surrounding them highlights the need for a possible re-evaluation of work-life balance in France.
