Proposed anti-death penalty actions detailed by the Commission.
In a move that has sparked widespread backlash, French Prime Minister François Bayrou has proposed eliminating Victory in Europe (VE) Day (May 8) and Easter Monday as national public holidays as part of a broader €44 billion package to address France’s budget deficit and rising national debt.
The announcement, made in mid-July 2025, has been met with immediate and fierce opposition from across the political spectrum and the public. Bayrou justifies the move as a necessary economic sacrifice, arguing that removing these holidays would generate billions for the state budget by increasing productivity, as businesses and public services would remain open on these days.
However, critics view the targeting of VE Day, a day deeply embedded in national memory as a symbol of liberation and unity, as an assault on cherished social and cultural traditions. For many, the measure is seen as an attack on a symbol of France’s proud history, with unions describing it as a "declaration of war" and the broader public viewing it as "tantamount to treason" in a country already protective of its work-life balance.
The proposal has united the political opposition in condemnation. Both the left and far right have threatened a vote of no confidence, with Communist leader Fabien Roussel calling the initiative a “heist by an organized gang” and accusing the government of seeking to “make us work for free.” Marine Tondelier of the Greens criticized the targeting of VE Day, questioning the intent behind “erasing” a date commemorating the Allied victory in World War II. The far-right National Rally (RN) has called the proposal a “direct attack on our history, our roots, and on the working French,” vowing outright rejection.
The French public has reacted with anger and incredulity, particularly regarding the elimination of May 8. Easter Monday, while having no explicit religious significance, is also proposed for elimination. The government's attempt to roll back these benefits is viewed as a major departure from the French social model, unique in Europe for its generous statutory leave and public holidays.
Despite the technical arguments about productivity and public finances, the emotional and symbolic weight of VE Day in particular has made it a lightning rod for discontent, overshadowing the fiscal rationale. The Prime Minister's description of May as a “veritable Swiss cheese” of public holidays has further fuelled public outrage.
In conclusion, the controversy over Bayrou’s proposal to eliminate May 8 as a public holiday reflects a clash between fiscal austerity and France’s deep-seated attachment to its social traditions and historical memory. While the government emphasizes economic necessity, opponents see the move as a betrayal of national identity and workers’ rights, ensuring fierce resistance in both parliament and the streets.
Policy-and-legislation discussions revolve around French Prime Minister Bayrou's proposal to remove May 8 (Victory in Europe Day) and Easter Monday as national public holidays, stirring up intense debate in the realm of politics. Critics view this move as an attack on cherished social and cultural traditions, with unions and various political factions likening it to a "declaration of war" or "tantamount to treason." The emotional and symbolic weight of VE Day, in particular, has made it a lightning rod for discontent, overshadowing the fiscal rationale.
