French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou proposed scrapping two national holidays, part of a drastic effort to repair public finances that’s set to unleash a parliamentary backlash in the fall.
The premier put forward the plans as he unveiled an array of measures amounting to €43.8 billion ($50.9 billion) to pare back the largest deficit in the euro area. Other moves include a new tax on the highest earners, a freeze in pension and welfare payments at 2025 levels, and possible sales of the state’s stakes in companies.