France’s Prime Minister Proposes Cutting Public Holidays to Tackle ‘Curse’ of National Debt

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has unveiled a controversial proposal to eliminate two national public holidays as part of sweeping efforts to address what he described as the “curse” of France’s spiraling debt.

This suggestion came during his presentation of the 2026 budget on Tuesday, where Bayrou pointed to Easter Monday and May 8 — which marks the end of World War II in Europe — as potential targets. He argued that trimming France’s current 11 national holidays to nine would align the country more closely with Germany and generate “several billions of euros” in savings.

“We have become addicted to public spending,” Bayrou said. “We are at a critical juncture in our history.”

France’s public finances have drawn increased scrutiny from the European Union, with the country currently running a debt level of 114 percent of GDP — well above the EU’s 60 percent limit and behind only Greece and Italy. Bayrou warned that France must borrow every month just to pay civil servants and pensions, calling it “a curse with no way out.”

The reaction to his proposal was swift and fierce. Far-right National Rally leader Jordan Bardella denounced the plan as a “direct attack on our history, our roots and on labour in France.” Party stalwart Marine Le Pen threatened a no-confidence vote if Bayrou did not reverse course.

From the left, France Unbowed leader Jean-Luc Melenchon demanded Bayrou’s resignation, declaring, “These injustices cannot be tolerated any longer.” Fellow party member Mathilde Panot accused the prime minister of triggering a “social war.”

Bayrou defended the proposal, insisting urgent measures were needed to bring the budget deficit — projected at 5.4 percent this year — down to 4.6 percent in 2026, with the goal of dipping below the EU’s 3 percent threshold by 2029. In addition to cutting holidays, Bayrou announced plans for a freeze on government spending increases (excluding defence and debt servicing), a 3,000 reduction in the civil service, and the closure of what he called “unproductive agencies.”

He also pledged a fairer distribution of the burden, saying: “The nation’s effort must be equitable. We will ask little of those who have little, and more of those who have more.”

The prime minister highlighted additional pressures on the budget, including President Emmanuel Macron’s recent pledge to raise military spending by €3.5 billion in 2026 amid growing global insecurity — increasing the defence budget to €50.5 billion.

Drawing a stark warning from European history, Bayrou concluded: “We must never forget the story of Greece.”