International News
French PM Proposes Cutting National Holidays To Cut Debt
Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said Tuesday he wanted to reduce the number of public holidays in France as part of a bid to tackle what he called the “curse” of his country’s debt.
Presenting 2026 budget proposals, Bayrou said two out of France’s 11 national holidays could go, suggesting Easter Monday and May 8, a day that commemorates the end of World War II in Europe.
Such a measure would bring France into line with Germany’s nine national holidays — although federal states can add their own — and take it well below Italy’s 12 days.
After years of overspending, France is on notice to control its public deficit and cut its sprawling debt, as required under EU rules.
Bayrou said France had to borrow each month to pay pensions and the salaries of civil servants, a state of affairs he called “a curse with no way out”.
Losing two public holidays, meanwhile, would add “several billions of euros” to the state’s coffers, Bayrou said.
But the proposed measure sparked an immediate protest from Jordan Bardella, leader of the far-right National Rally.
Holiday protests
He said abolishing two holidays, “especially ones as filled with meaning as Easter Monday and May 8 is a direct attack on our history, our roots and on labour in France”.
The party’s parliamentary leader, Marine Le Pen, warned that “if Francois Bayrou does not revise his plan, we will vote for a no-confidence motion”.
Leftist firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon of the France Unbowed party called for Bayrou’s resignation, saying “these injustices cannot be tolerated any longer”.
His party colleague Mathilde Panot accused Bayrou of starting “a social war”.
Bayrou had said previously that France’s budgetary position needed to be improved by 40 billion euros ($46.5 billion) next year.
But this figure has risen after President Emmanuel Macron said at the weekend he wanted 3.5 billion euros of extra military spending next year because of rising international tensions. France has a defence budget of 50.5 billion euros for 2025.
Bayrou said the budget deficit would be cut to 4.6 percent next year, from an estimated 5.4 percent this year, and would fall below the three percent required by EU rules by 2029.
To achieve this, other measures would include a general freeze on spending increases — including on pensions and health — except for debt servicing and the defence sector, Bayrou said.
“We have become addicted to public spending,” Bayrou said. “We are at a critical juncture in our history”.
Remember Greece
The prime minister even held up Greece as a cautionary tale, an EU member whose spiralling debt and deficits pushed it to the brink of dropping out of the eurozone after the 2008 financial crisis.
“We must never forget the story of Greece,” he said.
France’s debt stands at 114 per cent of GDP — compared to 60 per cent allowed under EU rules — the biggest debt mountain in the EU after Greece and Italy.
The government hopes to cut the number of civil servants by 3,000 next year, and close down “unproductive agencies working on behalf of the state”, the premier said.
Bayrou said wealthy residents would be made to contribute to the financial effort.
“The nation’s effort must be equitable,” Bayrou said. “We will ask little of those who have little, and more of those who have more.”
AFP
International News
Maguire: Tuchel Told Me By Video Call I Was Out And I Said I Was Very Disappointed
On “The Rest is Football” podcast, Manchester United center-back Maguire discussed how Tuchel informed him via video call that he had not been selected for the World Cup squad.
Maguire revealed: “He (Tuchel) video-called everyone. It was quite an awkward call. I first received a message asking if he could talk to me around 4 PM. It was quite a unique approach, and certainly difficult, because he could see everyone’s reactions.
“I said directly that I was really very disappointed. I felt I had done well enough to deserve to be in the squad, and I felt I could have helped the team, playing a role on and off the pitch. He said he couldn’t give me any excuses, but he chose the four players who had helped him through a difficult period last autumn.
“It was hard to accept. After being called up by him for the first time in the March training camp, I did think I would be in the squad. I performed well in both games and then returned to Manchester United, finishing the season with a very strong performance.”
Tuchel ultimately chose to take Stones, Guehi, Konsa, Quansah, and Dan Burn to the World Cup.
No Plans to Retire from England Duty
Furthermore, even with Tuchel’s contract extending to Euro 2028, Maguire is unwilling to close the door on playing for England.
He added: “I don’t think I’ll retire from England duty. I still feel I can shine. Sooner or later there will be a time and a point where I no longer deserve to be selected for England, but even then, I most likely won’t proactively step out and announce my retirement. If I can play for England one more time, it will all be worth it.”
Maguire will use the off-season to fully recover and prepare for Manchester United’s return to the Champions League in the 2026-27 season. While his England teammates face the immense pressure of a major international tournament, the experienced defender will strive to maintain his excellent club form. If he is to earn a recall to the England squad later this year, proving his endurance in the Premier League remains crucial.
Tunisia head coach Sabri Lamouchi has been sacked after defeat on World Cup opening game against Sweden.
Plans are under way to appoint Mondher Kebaier as the new national team coach on an interim basis, Federation confirm.
A statement released on the Tunisian FA Instagram read:
“An agreement has been officially reached to dismiss coach Sabri Lamouch.
“Plans are under way to appoint Mondher Kebaier as the national team coach [on an interim basis].”
Tunisia play Japan in their second group game on Saturday before facing the Netherlands.
On June 15th , following Sweden’s 5-1 victory over Tunisia, the team’s striker Isak was interviewed.
Tunisia had not conceded a single goal in 10 World Cup qualifiers, but their clean-sheet record at this World Cup was broken immediately by Sweden. Isak delivered an exceptional performance in the match, directly contributing to 4 of the team’s 5 goals.
Isak said after the match: “It was incredible. We have a lot of players making their World Cup debuts, so to do it this way is really special.”
He was also satisfied with his performance: “Everyone played well, as did the whole team. We scored early, which made the game easier to manage.”
Speaking about his partnership with Gyökeres, he said: “The plan was to use the speed of our two forwards to counter-attack, make high-intensity runs, and then recover. We worked very well together.”
Swedish commentator Erik Niva said after the match: “No team will want to face Sweden in the matches ahead.”
-
Health & Wellness10 months agoPresident Tinubu Directs Cut in Dialysis Cost from ₦50,000 to ₦12,000
-
News10 months agoPICTURE: In Lagos Couple Sentenced to 22½ Years for Cannabis Trafficking
-
Business3 months agoDangote Refinery Reduces Petrol Gantry Price To ₦1,200 Per Litre
-
Trending News10 months agoNELFUND Disburses ₦86bn To 449,000 Beneficiaries
-
International News3 months agoIndian Police Arrest Nigerian Over ₦290m Drug Haul
-
Business3 months agoAfter Plea Bargain, Court Discharges Stella Oduah of ₦2.5bn Fraud
-
Business2 years agoHeritage Bank Customers’ Path to Securing ₦5m Insured Funds: A Step-By-Step Guide by NDIC”
-
Business2 years ago
Dangote; We Did Not Fix ₦600/Litre Petrol Price