**Amid rising debt concerns, France's Prime Minister François Bayrou has proposed the elimination of Easter Monday and May 8th holidays to curb national spending, while facing potential political turmoil within the parliament.**
**French Prime Minister Proposes Controversial Cuts to Public Holidays in Debt Reduction Strategy**
**French Prime Minister Proposes Controversial Cuts to Public Holidays in Debt Reduction Strategy**
**In an effort to tackle France's national debt, PM François Bayrou suggests abolishing two public holidays, stirring significant political backlash.**
In a bold move to address France's escalating national debt, Prime Minister François Bayrou has put forth a proposal to eliminate two public holidays as part of the budget for 2026. The prime minister identified Easter Monday and May 8, which marks the Allied victory in World War II, as potential cuts to streamline spending while simultaneously increasing military expenditures.
Bayrou emphasized that the numerous bank holidays within May left the month resembling a Swiss cheese, riddled with holes, and maintained that the nation needs to enhance productivity. However, he remains open to alternative suggestions to stabilize public finances. This proposal is critical, as Bayrou warned that France, being the eurozone's second-largest economy, is at risk of being overwhelmed by its current debt levels.
Standing at a press conference with a banner marked "The moment of truth," Bayrou elaborated on various proposals aimed at reducing the national budget deficit, which he asserts must be brought under control. His recommendations include freezing public spending for the upcoming year, revoking tax incentives benefiting the wealthy, and reducing the number of civil servants within the government.
The call for increased defence spending, aligning with President Emmanuel Macron’s directive for a €3.5 billion increase in military budget next year, adds urgency to Bayrou's plan. Critics have swiftly condemned the public holiday cuts, labeling them as an affront to French history and to the working class, while Green party leader Marine Tondelier lamented the removal of a holiday honoring victory against Nazism.
Bayrou insisted his proposals stem from "basic arithmetic," emphasizing the need to find over €40 billion to effectively reduce national debt, which is rising at an alarming rate. The government's target is to lower the budget deficit from 5.8% to below 4.6% next year, and further below 3% by 2029.
Though this is only Bayrou's third month as prime minister, he faces a divided parliament, where factions of the far-right and left threaten to oppose his budget plan in an autumn vote, potentially leading to a government collapse similar to that experienced by his predecessor. Figures like Jean-Luc Mélenchon of the radical left have openly called for Bayrou's ousting, while others have accused him of neglecting the needs of workers and pensioners.
In the midst of this political strife, President Macron’s own popularity remains low, and his administration may be forcefully pressed to address the budgetary crisis or risk a new election cycle that could yield a similar political stalemate. If Bayrou's efforts do not win parliamentary support, the ramifications for the French government structure could be significant, as Macron might be left with difficult choices regarding future leadership or government composition.
Bayrou emphasized that the numerous bank holidays within May left the month resembling a Swiss cheese, riddled with holes, and maintained that the nation needs to enhance productivity. However, he remains open to alternative suggestions to stabilize public finances. This proposal is critical, as Bayrou warned that France, being the eurozone's second-largest economy, is at risk of being overwhelmed by its current debt levels.
Standing at a press conference with a banner marked "The moment of truth," Bayrou elaborated on various proposals aimed at reducing the national budget deficit, which he asserts must be brought under control. His recommendations include freezing public spending for the upcoming year, revoking tax incentives benefiting the wealthy, and reducing the number of civil servants within the government.
The call for increased defence spending, aligning with President Emmanuel Macron’s directive for a €3.5 billion increase in military budget next year, adds urgency to Bayrou's plan. Critics have swiftly condemned the public holiday cuts, labeling them as an affront to French history and to the working class, while Green party leader Marine Tondelier lamented the removal of a holiday honoring victory against Nazism.
Bayrou insisted his proposals stem from "basic arithmetic," emphasizing the need to find over €40 billion to effectively reduce national debt, which is rising at an alarming rate. The government's target is to lower the budget deficit from 5.8% to below 4.6% next year, and further below 3% by 2029.
Though this is only Bayrou's third month as prime minister, he faces a divided parliament, where factions of the far-right and left threaten to oppose his budget plan in an autumn vote, potentially leading to a government collapse similar to that experienced by his predecessor. Figures like Jean-Luc Mélenchon of the radical left have openly called for Bayrou's ousting, while others have accused him of neglecting the needs of workers and pensioners.
In the midst of this political strife, President Macron’s own popularity remains low, and his administration may be forcefully pressed to address the budgetary crisis or risk a new election cycle that could yield a similar political stalemate. If Bayrou's efforts do not win parliamentary support, the ramifications for the French government structure could be significant, as Macron might be left with difficult choices regarding future leadership or government composition.
