French PM's plan to scrap two holidays stirs outcry, and memories of a toppled predecessor

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou gestures as he speaks during a conference to outline the priorities for the public finances in a first step towards preparing the next budget, in Paris, France, April 15, 2025. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

PARIS (Reuters) -French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou wants to scrap two public holidays to put France's finances back on track. It's a brave move: The last French leader to try something similar soon found himself out of a job.

Bayrou, a long-time debt hawk who is fighting for his political survival, made the headline-grabbing proposal on Tuesday, when he outlined a series of deficit-reduction measures worth 43.8 billion euros ($50.88 billion) next year aimed at lowering France's debt.