Manipulating the Cancellation of Two Public Holidays Labeled a "Deception" by Those Near the Prime Minister
In a move that has sparked significant controversy, French Prime Minister François Bayrou has proposed the abolition of two public holidays - Easter Monday and May 8 (VE Day) - as a means to address a 44 billion euro budget gap and generate approximately 4.2 billion euros in revenue.
The proposal, which affects employees directly, has ignited a heated debate among social partners, including unions and employers. The plan has been met with resistance, with many viewing it as contentious and divisive.
Bayrou has set a deadline of September 30 for unions and employers to negotiate on the matter. However, the political sensitivity and potential division over the proposal are evident, with the government already in a minority position in the National Assembly.
Behind the scenes, speculation abounds. A close aide to a major minister interprets Bayrou's announcement as a decoy to make a concession and buy the indulgence of the National Rally. Meanwhile, Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally, has threatened that no RN deputy will accept a provocative censorship measure.
The government, it seems, is not immune to the controversy. Some members view Bayrou's announcement as a bluff, while a close aide to the head of the government admits that the threat of censorship could potentially be used as a bargaining chip.
At the heart of the matter is the government's primary goal: to find a way to divide the opposition parties, who are currently threatening to overthrow the government due to the budget.
As the deadline approaches, the social dialogue and political tension surrounding the implementation of this controversial plan continue to escalate, with the fate of these cherished public holidays hanging in the balance.
- The proposed abolition of Easter Monday and May 8 by French Prime Minister François Bayrou, as part of policy-and-legislation to address a budget gap, has stirred up heated debates in French politics, particularly among unions and employers, given its potential implications on employees.
- The controversial French policy-and-legislation, aimed at generating revenue by eliminating two public holidays, has been met with resistance and division, not only among social partners but also within the government, as evidenced by the potential use of censorship measures as bargaining chips in the ongoing politics of general-news.
