French PM Francois Bayrou Sets September 30 Deadline for Holiday Cut Talks

Paris (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou stated that negotiations to cut two French national holidays must be finalised by September 30 at the latest, as reported by Les Echos. This action is part of a government effort to overcome persistent operating deficits.

Bayrou includes (as part of a budget action plan) the elimination of the Easter Monday and Victory Day (in Europe) holidays, to spur the economy and reduce the 43.8 billion euro budgetary gap, in 2026.

The proposal drew a large amount of controversy and backlash from unions, left and far-right political parties and also some sections of the public, and the debate is still ongoing about what holidays could be eliminated or substitutes could be considered.

Why does Bayrou want to cut two French holidays?

As reported, the proposal is part of a wider set of austerity and spending control measures from the minority government to address France’s rising public debt. Bayrou has made clear the need for sacrifice to ensure we do not reach a debt crisis, comparing the current situation to the former crisis in Greece. He has called on all to contribute to deficit reduction by not spending, prolonging pension growth, and reductions in employment in the public sector.

Bayrou previously likened May to Gruyere cheese, full of holes, and claimed that reducing holidays would boost the economy. Nevertheless, newly observed experiences and economic research suggest the answer may be much more nuanced. 

The Government wishes to hear from unions and other stakeholders by September 1 before concluding negotiations by the end of the month. The Prime Minister is requesting that union representatives and government representatives, and the like provide a request by September 1 if they would prefer open negotiations. It also emerges that the letter mentions the selected holidays as another topic open for discussion.

How have unions responded to the proposed holiday cuts?

The main French trade unions, like CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, and CFTC, opposed Prime Minister François Bayrou’s 2026 budget plan as a corporate austerity measure that would increase social inequality. They rejected central proposals, like the removal of two public holidays, cuts to public services, reductions to unemployment benefits and a pause on social welfare programs. 

The unions have also created an online petition against the budget proposal, attracting over 200,000 signatures, and they announced they would meet on September 1 to coordinate their response and possibly organise actions against the proposals, including strikes.