Overview

• Backers including the Institut der Deutschen Wirtschaft and Vereinigung der Bayerischen Wirtschaft say removing Pfingstmontag could stimulate retail sales and shore up public finances.
• Economists Michael Hüther and Moritz Schularick contend the change would add only about 0.4 percent to individual work hours while boosting tax revenue and allowing schools to recover lost lessons.
• Opposition from the German Catholic Bishops’ Conference, major trade unions and regional leaders underscores fears of a one-sided gain for employers and erosion of a key family rest day.
• A YouGov survey finds 55 percent of West Germans and 62 percent of East Germans unaware of Pentecost’s religious significance yet still using the holiday for short family breaks.
• Critics point out that Germany’s economic stagnation stems from weak productivity and innovation rather than holiday count, citing Bavaria’s high output despite having the most public holidays.