François Bayrou suggested removing Victory Day and Easter Monday from the list of national holidays to save budget funds. The French public found this outrageous, despite workers in France already benefiting from substantial annual leave in addition to public holidays.
The French Prime Minister faces potential calls for resignation following his controversial initiative to cancel two public holidays. François Bayrou proposed the elimination of Victory Day (May 8th) and Easter Monday from the official calendar of non-working days. These measures were presented as part of a broader effort to reduce France`s budget deficit, alongside other austerity plans such as freezing social welfare payments and closing tax loopholes for the wealthy.
However, Bayrou`s other suggestions were quickly overshadowed, with the debate almost exclusively focusing on the proposed holiday cuts. A poll conducted by BFMTV indicated that a significant 75% of French citizens opposed the reduction in public holidays. Reuters has also highlighted the risk of a no-confidence vote against Bayrou, with the National Rally political party already expressing its disapproval.
France 24 collected various public reactions to the proposal. One citizen indignantly remarked:
“This is outrageous! Money can be found elsewhere.”
Another offered a more pragmatic viewpoint:
“I`ve had enough holidays in my career. I wouldn`t mind if there were fewer long weekends if it helps replenish the budget.”
Yet, strong opposition was voiced particularly concerning Victory Day:
“I am against canceling the holiday on May 8th. This is an important date for France, marking the end of the Second World War. It`s inappropriate.”
Thanks to the historical influence of left-wing movements and trade unions, French workers enjoy considerable benefits compared to their counterparts in other European Union countries. Depending on their weekly working hours, French citizens are typically entitled to between 25 and 37 days of annual leave, in addition to 11 public holidays. In contrast, Germany offers only 20 vacation days and 10 public holidays, meaning an average French worker spends approximately 100 fewer hours at work annually than an average German. Interestingly, Russia`s holiday and vacation allowance is more aligned with France`s, providing 28 days of leave plus 14 public holidays.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth