A Controversial Plan to Freeze Public Spending by Extending the Working Calendar

In a proposal that has sparked intense debate across France, centrist politician François Bayrou suggested that French employees should work on traditionally observed holidays—Easter Monday and Victory in Europe Day (May 8th)—as a measure to freeze public spending and help address the nation’s mounting fiscal challenges. The plan, unveiled at a press conference in Paris last week, calls for adjusting the public holiday calendar to include these additional working days, effectively adding two more days to the annual labor schedule.

Bayrou, leader of the Democratic Movement (MoDem) party and a former presidential candidate, argued that maintaining France’s generous holiday allowances has contributed to increased public sector costs without corresponding gains in productivity. “We must rethink our approach to national holidays,” Bayrou stated. “Every day that we grant off without compensation adds pressure on our budget and undermines our competitiveness. By working on Easter Monday and May 8th, we can achieve immediate savings and send a message of solidarity in the face of economic strain.”

The proposal arrives at a time when France faces significant economic headwinds, including a slower-than-expected recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing pressure from high energy prices. Public debt has climbed to over 110% of gross domestic product, while unemployment remains stubbornly above 7%. Bayrou insists that small adjustments, such as reducing paid holiday days, can cumulatively yield substantial savings. “If each public servant contributed two additional working days, we would save hundreds of millions of euros annually,” he claimed.

However, the suggestion has met resistance from labor unions and opposition parties, who denounced it as an attack on workers’ rights and France’s cultural heritage. The CGT, France’s largest trade union, issued a statement condemning the proposal as “out of touch with the realities of the labor market” and vowed to mobilize members to protest any changes to the holiday calendar. “Holidays are a cornerstone of social life in France,” the CGT declared. “They provide essential rest and family time. We will not accept arbitrary cuts.”

Political analysts note that Bayrou’s proposal could be a strategic move to appeal to fiscal conservatives ahead of upcoming regional elections. By championing budgetary restraint, the MoDem hopes to differentiate itself from both President Macron’s centrist bloc and the left-wing alliance led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Still, critics warn that the plan may backfire by alienating voters who cherish France’s reputation for a healthy work–life balance and robust social protections.

Economists are divided on the effectiveness of holiday reforms. Some point out that while reducing paid leave can lower government spending slightly, the broader impact on employee morale and consumer spending could negate any fiscal gains. “The costs saved by closing offices on fewer days are modest compared to the potential slowdown in domestic consumption,” said Claire Bernard, senior economist at the Institut Montaigne. “Moreover, forcing workers to give up cultural traditions can have unintended social costs.”

Bayrou countered these concerns by proposing that the two newly designated working holidays could be offset by offering flexible time-off options later in the year. He suggested that civil servants receive additional vacation vouchers or compensatory days off to be used at their discretion. This element of the plan aims to soften the blow for employees while still achieving the targeted budgetary relief.

Public opinion appears split. A recent poll by BVA indicated that 48% of respondents would accept working on Easter Monday if it meant avoiding tax increases, while 44% opposed any reduction in holiday entitlements. Support was higher among younger voters and those in small businesses, who often feel the strain of public sector deficits. Conversely, older citizens and union members largely rejected the proposal, viewing it as an erosion of long-standing social gains.

As the debate unfolds, all eyes are on Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne, whose government must decide whether to embrace or reject Bayrou’s initiative. With the cost of living crisis still fresh in voters’ minds and strikes already disrupting transport and public services this summer, any move to alter the holiday calendar will be politically charged. The final decision is expected later this month, when the government announces its revised fiscal plan for 2026.

Regardless of the outcome, Bayrou’s proposal has reignited a national conversation about the balance between economic necessity and cultural tradition. It underscores the delicate task facing French policymakers: navigating fiscal responsibility without sacrificing the social model that has long defined the nation.