France may scrap Easter Monday and May 8 to reduce public debt. PM Bayrou’s plan targets €43.8B in savings, sparking backlash across political lines.
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🇫🇷 France Considers Cutting Two Public Holidays to Save €43.8B
Paris, July 16, 2025 – The French government has unveiled controversial cost-cutting proposals that could result in the elimination of two public holidays — a move aimed at tackling France’s mounting debt crisis.
Prime Minister François Bayrou on Tuesday announced sweeping plans to cut public spending by €43.8 billion ($50.9 billion) by 2026, reducing the country’s budget deficit from 5.4% to 4.6% of GDP.
Among the most talked-about proposals? Scrapping Easter Monday and May 8 (Victory in Europe Day) — two holidays the government says could be costing France productivity.
🏛️ What the French Government Is Proposing
- Remove two national holidays (Easter Monday & May 8)
- Eliminate 3,000 civil service jobs
- Limit tax breaks for the wealthy
- Introduce a “solidarity contribution” for high-income earners
- Increase defense spending by €6.5 billion over the next two years
Bayrou stated that these reforms are needed to prevent France from being “crushed by debt,” which now sits at 114% of GDP.
“This is the last stop before the cliff,” said Bayrou. “Every second, our national debt rises by €5,000.”
🗓️ Why These Holidays Are Targeted
Easter Monday and May 8 are both non-working days that fall during May — a month already filled with long weekends in France. The government claims eliminating them would:
- Boost economic activity
- Increase civil service productivity
- Help reduce the fiscal gap without raising taxes broadly
Easter Monday was criticized as having “no longer any religious significance,” while May 8, commemorating Nazi Germany’s surrender in WWII, was seen as politically sensitive.
🔥 Political and Public Backlash
Opposition parties from both the far-left and far-right have fiercely opposed the idea.
- Fabien Roussel, leader of the Communist Party, called it an “organized robbery.”
- Jordan Bardella, president of National Rally, said the proposal is “a direct attack on our history, our roots, and the France of work.”
Bayrou has already survived eight no-confidence votes. The risk of another challenge looms large, especially with parliament deeply divided over budget reforms.
🛡️ Defense Spending Rises, Too
While much of the budget is facing cuts, President Emmanuel Macron announced an increase in defense spending:
- +€3.5B in 2026
- +€3B more in 2027
- Target total = €64B (double the 2017 defense budget)
Macron’s push aims to counter global instability and keep France at the forefront of NATO and EU security commitments.
🔍 What It Means for France’s Economy
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Public Holidays Cut | Could add workdays, boosting GDP—but risks public backlash |
| Debt Crisis | Urgency growing with debt at 114% of GDP |
| Political Stability | Reform could trigger more no-confidence votes |
| Consumer Sentiment | Risk of civil unrest if reforms are rushed |
| Global Markets | Rating agencies watching France’s next moves closely |
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
🔹 Why is France considering cutting public holidays?
France is exploring cutting Easter Monday and May 8 (Victory in Europe Day) to improve economic productivity and reduce public spending as part of a €43.8 billion austerity plan.
🔹 Which holidays could be eliminated?
The two targeted holidays are:
- Easter Monday – considered to have lost religious significance
- May 8 (VE Day) – commemorates the end of World War II in Europe
French flag waving beside the Arc de Triomphe with bold yellow text reading ‘France May Scrap Holidays to Slash Debt’ and red X marks over calendar icons, symbolizing proposed holiday cuts.
🔹 How much debt is France trying to reduce?
France’s public debt is 114% of GDP, and the government aims to reduce its budget deficit from 5.4% to 4.6% by 2026, saving €43.8 billion ($50.9 billion) in the process.
🔹 What other measures are being proposed?
The plan includes:
- Cutting 3,000 civil service jobs
- Limiting tax breaks for the wealthy
- Increasing defense spending
- Introducing a solidarity tax for high earners
🔹 Is there public or political opposition?
Yes, major political parties across the spectrum have opposed the holiday cuts. Critics call it an attack on national heritage and workers’ rights. Bayrou’s government also faces threats of no-confidence motions.
🔹 Could this plan really improve France’s economy?
Economists are divided. While it could improve short-term productivity, it risks civil backlash, declining morale, and political instability — especially if not paired with other structural reforms.
