In a bold move aimed at curbing France's growing debt crisis, Prime Minister François Bayrou has proposed the cancellation of Easter Monday and the 8th of May public holidays. He asserts that such cuts are essential to keep the budget under control, stressing the urgency of the situation as France faces potential financial collapse.
French PM François Bayrou Proposes Controversial Holiday Cuts to Tackle National Debt
French PM François Bayrou Proposes Controversial Holiday Cuts to Tackle National Debt
French Prime Minister François Bayrou has suggested eliminating two public holidays to address the escalating national debt as part of his budget plan for 2026.
Bayrou argued that excessive holidays have turned May into a "gruyère," a Swiss cheese riddled with gaps, further stressing the need for increased productivity. He acknowledged the risk of his budget proposal facing opposition in parliament, recalling the failure of previous measures that led to government collapse. Critics, including the far-right and leftist parties, condemned the proposed cuts as dismissive of French heritage and a direct attack on the working class. As France's economy grapples with a significant deficit, Bayrou’s government aims to balance urgent economic reforms with the delicate need for political stability.
As the autumn budget vote approaches, Bayrou remains determined, claiming that reversing the fiscal trend is "basic arithmetic" that must be addressed.
Amidst rising tensions and a fragmented parliament, the fate of the budget—and possibly Bayrou's administration—hangs in the balance, with potentially severe consequences for the French political landscape.
As the autumn budget vote approaches, Bayrou remains determined, claiming that reversing the fiscal trend is "basic arithmetic" that must be addressed.
Amidst rising tensions and a fragmented parliament, the fate of the budget—and possibly Bayrou's administration—hangs in the balance, with potentially severe consequences for the French political landscape.
