(Adnkronos) – French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has proposed eliminating two public holidays – Easter Monday and May 8, the anniversary of the victory in Europe of the Second World War – as a measure to reduce public spending in the 2026 budget. The initiative aims to finance the increase in defense spending, without further burdening public accounts.
Bayrou specified that he is open to evaluating alternatives, but defended the idea as “symbolic and responsible” in a context where “everyone must contribute”. The proposal has already sparked mixed reactions, especially for the historical and cultural value of the holidays involved.
