France to scrap two public holidays in 2026 to save €4.2 billion

France Axes Two Public Holidays to Slash Budget Deficit

Millions face altered celebrations as Easter Monday and Victory in Europe Day disappear.

French Prime Minister François Bayrou announced Monday a radical plan to eliminate two national public holidays starting in 2026. Easter Monday and May 8, commemorating the end of World War II in Europe, would be scrapped under the proposal, aiming to cut €4.2 billion from the country's budget deficit.

"It’s a measure that we had to take," Bayrou said. “We are facing a difficult economic situation.”