french Prime Minister Lecornu Backtracks on Holiday Cuts in First Policy shift
Mâcon, France - September 14, 2025 – In a swift departure from his predecessor’s plans, newly appointed French prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced Saturday he will withdraw a controversial proposal to eliminate two public holidays.The decision marks Lecornu’s first notable policy shift and signals a potential break from the austerity measures championed by former Prime Minister François Bayrou.
Just days after taking office,Lecornu had hinted at “ruptures” – changes not just in style,but in substance – during the handover with Bayrou. This announcement, made in an exclusive interview with several regional newspapers including Ouest-France, La Voix du Nord, and Sudouest, delivers on that promise.
The proposed holiday cuts had sparked widespread public outcry and threatened significant labor unrest. Lecornu explained his reversal, stating, “I want us to save those who work. This is why I decided to withdraw the two holidays’ deletion.” He intends to initiate a “dialog with social partners” to identify alternative funding sources.
The news was met with cautious optimism from labor leaders. Sophie Binet, head of a major French union, hailed the move as “a first victory” and vowed to continue planned strikes and demonstrations on September 18th, arguing the withdrawal is “absolutely not enough.” Binet warned that relying on this concession to resolve broader economic concerns would be a miscalculation.
this early policy change suggests lecornu is prepared to navigate a more conciliatory path than his predecessor, possibly easing tensions with labor unions and the public. The focus now shifts to whether he can successfully secure alternative funding solutions and avoid further confrontation.
[Image of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu at the Departmental Health center in Mâcon, september 13, 2025. Credit: Claire Jachymiak/Hans Lucas for “Le Monde”]
Listen: Link to Le Monde Podcast: Will Sébastien Lecornu take out the country from the political crisis?
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