Germans overwhelmingly reject scrapping a public holiday for longer workdays
A recent poll has revealed strong opposition among Germans to the idea of scrapping a public holiday. The proposal, aimed at increasing working hours, has sparked debate as part of broader economic discussions. Only a small minority appear to back the measure, according to the Forsa survey conducted for Stern magazine and RTL.
The Forsa poll found that 76% of Germans reject the idea of removing a public holiday, while just 21% support it. Opposition is especially high among working-age adults, with 82% against the proposal. Even among CDU/CSU voters—where support is highest—only 31% favour the change, leaving a clear majority opposed.
Critics argue that eliminating a holiday would do little to fix deeper economic problems. There are also concerns about public anger if such a measure were introduced. The survey showed little regional divide, with similar levels of opposition in both eastern and western Germany. The debate follows government discussions on boosting economic output by extending workdays. However, no recent data suggests a shift in public opinion on this issue over the past five years. Supporters of the Left Party (85% opposed) and the far-right AfD (87% opposed) are among the most resistant to the idea.
The poll highlights widespread resistance to scrapping a public holiday as a way to increase working hours. With opposition strong across political and regional lines, the proposal faces significant hurdles. The government's economic plans may need to consider alternative measures given the public's stance.
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