French Prime Minister Proposes Controversial Cut to National Holidays Amid Debt Crisis

Fri Feb 13 2026 02:22:20 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

François Bayrou's bold plan to abolish two national holidays in France raises protests and concerns over worker rights, as the country seeks to recover from a deepening financial crisis.

As the French government grapples with soaring national debt, Prime Minister François Bayrou has proposed cutting two national holidays—Easter Monday and the 8th of May. While aimed at improving productivity, the plan has faced significant backlash from labor advocates and the political left, underlining the country's strong tradition of worker rights and holiday observance.

French Prime Minister François Bayrou has stirred controversy with a proposal to abolish two of France's national holidays—Easter Monday and May 8th—in a bid to address France's significant debt crisis. The announcement, made on Tuesday, has already triggered a swell of protests, particularly from left-wing groups and populist factions, while his own centrist coalition and the conservative faction offer only cautious support.

France currently observes 11 public holidays each year, an average rate compared to other European countries. The proposed cuts would effectively force the French workforce to add two more working days annually without pay increases, with the intention of increasing productivity and alleviating the nation’s growing financial woes.

The French populace cherishes its national holidays, particularly in May when several long weekends occur. For instance, if May 1st (Workers' Day) and May 8th, which commemorates the end of WWII, fall adjacent to a weekend, it results in extended four-day or even six-day breaks—a practice endearingly known as "viaduc" in French culture.

Despite the common stereotype of the French enjoying a lifestyle enviable for its leisure, facts reveal that France has a below-average number of holidays compared to other nations, such as Slovakia, which boasts 15 national holidays. Additionally, productivity metrics indicate French workers actually outperform their UK counterparts by 18%.

Historically, past attempts to cut national holidays have met strong resistance. In 2003, then-PM Jean-Pierre Raffarin initiated the transformation of Whit Monday into a Day of Solidarity, mandating work in lieu of a holiday, to generate funds for elderly and disabled aid. This faced massive backlash, and in subsequent years, the legislation was significantly relaxed.

The roots of holiday cuts in France date back to 1959, under Charles de Gaulle, who controversially abolished the 8th of May holiday, citing economic constraints. While the holiday was eventually reinstated in 1981 by François Mitterrand, such decisions echo through French political history.

Although PM Bayrou's proposal aims to address a pressing financial landscape that sees the country accumulating €5,000 of debt every second—totaling an alarming €3.3 trillion—it raises the question of worker rights and the practicality of altering long-standing cultural traditions.

With Bayrou's government lacking a parliamentary majority and facing potential instability, his proposal highlights the difficulties of implementing economic reforms in a nation resistant to altering beloved traditions. As discourse ensues, it remains to be seen how this debate will unfold against the backdrop of France's churning political and economic climate.