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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Jon Henley in Paris

French PM may scrap two public holidays to reduce country’s crippling debt

François Bayrou France Emmanuel Macron RN VE Day
Other measures to reduce France’s deficit would include an across-the-board freeze on government spending except for debt servicing and the defence sector.
Other measures to reduce France’s deficit would include an across-the-board freeze on government spending except for debt servicing and the defence sector. Photograph: Maremagnum/Getty Images

France’s prime minister, François Bayrou, has proposed scrapping two public holidays as part of radical measures aimed at reducing the country’s ballooning deficit, boosting its economy and preventing it being “crushed” by debt.

Outlining the 2026 budget on Tuesday, Bayrou suggested Easter Monday and 8 May, when France commemorates Victory Day, marking the end of the second world war, although he said he was open to other options.

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