Overview

• The Vereinigung der Bayerischen Wirtschaft (vbw) has reiterated its proposal to abolish at least one church holiday, primarily Pfingstmontag, to boost economic productivity.
• According to the Institut der Deutschen Wirtschaft, removing one holiday could increase Germany's GDP by up to €8.6 billion annually, or 0.2% of total output.
• Trade unions and the Bayerischer Industrie- und Handelskammertag (BIHK) argue that cutting holidays is socially unacceptable and would overburden workers already facing high stress levels.
• Church leaders caution that eliminating religious holidays undermines cultural traditions and spiritual well-being, emphasizing the importance of rest and reflection.
• Public sentiment remains strongly opposed, with a recent poll showing 57% of Germans unwilling to sacrifice holidays for economic reasons.