Drei Viertel gegen Abschaffung eines Feiertages

Public Reaction to Government Proposal

A majority of Germans are opposed to a government proposal to abolish one public holiday as a quick way to boost economic output. A Forsa poll commissioned by Stern magazine and RTL finds just 21 percent of respondents approve of eliminating a holiday, while 76 percent reject the idea.

The resistance runs across social groups and regions. Employed respondents are particularly opposed: only 16 percent support removing a holiday and 82 percent reject it. Differences between East and West Germany are negligible.

Supporters of different political parties also show broad skepticism. Voters for the Union parties (CDU/CSU) are the most receptive, with 31 percent in favour, but even there rejection remains the majority position. Opponents are strongest among supporters of the Left and the AfD, where 85 percent and 87 percent respectively reject the measure.

Political and economic context

The debate stems from proposals within the federal government to raise national output by adding working days. Against a backdrop of weak economic indicators and persistent growth challenges, policymakers are discussing a range of measures to increase productivity. Abolishing a public holiday is presented as a fast, administratively simple option that would immediately create more working hours.

Critics argue this would be a superficial fix. They say deep-seated structural problemssuch as investment shortfalls, productivity bottlenecks and sectoral challengescannot be solved by reducing leisure time. Detractors also warn of political and social costs: a measure that lacks public acceptance may do more harm than good to the government's credibility and social cohesion.

For now, the Forsa results signal clear public reluctance. Any move to remove a holiday would face significant opposition not only in public opinion but likely in parliamentary and regional debates as well. Policymakers seeking to lift growth will therefore need to weigh short-term gains against long-term effects on social trust and worker morale.

The discussion is likely to continue as the government examines a broader toolkit to revive growthranging from investment incentives and regulatory reforms to targeted measures that address sector-specific weaknesses. Removing a holiday may remain on the table as a quick option, but the poll suggests it would be politically costly and socially unpopular.