Overview

• Sophie Primas said in a televised interview that she personally supports abolishing the 35-hour statutory workweek and called the 1998 reform a “boulet.”
• She questioned whether a parliament without a clear majority is ready to adopt such a major change to France’s labour framework.
• Primas insisted on launching broad cross-party negotiations to win the necessary backing for any bill to repeal the legal limit on weekly hours.
• Renaissance deputy Mathieu Lefèvre reiterated that companies and employees should have the freedom to agree on working more than 35 hours when operational needs require it.
• Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin first revived the proposal in October 2024 and continues to champion ending the 35-hour cap to boost productivity and reduce deficits.