France’s Prime Minister François Bayrou has proposed cutting two of the country’s national holidays to lower its deficit.
Under Bayrou’s budget proposal, Easter Monday and 8 May, which marked the end of World War II in Europe, could be removed as public holidays. The plan includes EU€43.8 billion in budget cuts, including a freeze on public spending.
“Every second, France's debt increases by EU€5,000,” said Bayrou. “France has become the country in the world that spends the most public money.”
“The entire nation must work more — to produce, to increase overall national activity throughout the year, and to improve France's situation," Bayrou said. "That's why I propose the removal of two public holidays.”
France’s budget deficit reached 5.8% of its GDP in 2024. The budget proposal aims to lower the deficit to 4.6% in 2026, and eventually to 2.8% in 2029.
It would freeze public spending in 2026 at 2025’s levels, except defence spending. The plan would also cut some government agencies and decline to replace one third of retiring civil servants, in a bid to eliminate 4,000 to 4,5000 public jobs.
According to a BFMTV poll this week, 75% of French respondents do not support abolishing two public holidays, with 24% in favour. The leadership of the General Confederation of Labour, France’s second-largest trade union, has recommended against stripping 8 May of its holiday status.
The 8 May holiday was previously eliminated in 1959, with then-President Charles de Gaulle arguing France could not afford it, before being reinstated in 1981.
Denmark also abolished its Great Prayer Day holiday in 2023 to finance its defence budget, but this led to an increase of just 0.01-0.06% in economic output, according to the International Monetary Fund.
France currently has 11 national public holidays per year, with an additional two in the Alsace and Moselle regions. Among neighbouring countries, Belgium and Germany have 10 at the national level, while Spain and Italy have 12.
Bayrou has survived eight no-confidence motions since becoming Prime Minister last year, including two in February after invoking constitutional powers to pass a budget without a vote.
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