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The Left in France proposes eliminating holidays linked to Christianity.

A deputy from La France Insoumise (LFI) suggests that Catholic public holidays could be replaced by republican commemorations.

Antoine Léaument

The Sunday Journal

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Controversy has erupted in France after Antoine Léaument, a deputy for La France Insoumise (LFI), publicly suggested that some public holidays linked to the Christian religion could be abolished. He said this in an interview with South Radio On 17 April, collected by the newspaper. The Sunday Journal (LeJDD).

According to the MP, it would be more coherent with the values of the secular Republic to replace these days with dates commemorating political and social events of great historical significance. He believes that public holidays such as May Day should be retained, given their importance in the labour movement. But if holiday days are to be cut, he believes they should start with those of religious tradition.

The MP did not say which specific days he would remove. However, he proposed creating a new public holiday on 18 March to commemorate the start of the Paris Commune of 1871. He believes that this date has great symbolic value for republican history.

Debate on secularism and tradition

France is a secular country, but its public holiday calendar still includes many Christian festivities. Christmas, Ascension Day and All Saints' Day are national holidays. Léaument's proposal has reopened the debate. Some argue that religion and state must be separated, even in the calendar. Others see it as an attack on the country's traditions and culture.

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