François Bayrou assures that his proposal to remove two public holidays is "debatable" and "amendable"

Prime Minister François Bayrou assured this Sunday in an interview that his proposal to eliminate two public holidays in order to reduce France's deficit was "debatable" and "amendable."

"This measure is completely debatable," said the Prime Minister, who will submit his government to a vote of confidence on September 8 in the Assembly.

On July 15, François Bayrou sparked strong reactions during the presentation of his 2026 budget by proposing to eliminate two public holidays, Easter Monday and May 8. He reiterated this Sunday that this measure would save 4 billion euros of his 44 billion savings plan, or "10% of the effort."

The Prime Minister seemed to suggest that he might limit his proposal to a single holiday being removed. "It could be one day ( a holiday being removed ) if we want to discuss it. I am open to discussion on the imperative condition that we consider that we cannot do nothing," the Prime Minister also assured.

"But the proposals from the Socialist Party, for example, mean that we are doing nothing," concluded the mayor of Pau.