Mexico proposes doing away with long holiday weekends

MICHOACAN, Mexico

Mexico’s president proposed Thursday moving national holidays to the exact day they take in history, which would end popular long weekends.

Several times a year, Mexicans celebrate holidays on the closest Monday to allow three-day weekends.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said for the upcoming year will push an initiative to do away with the practice.

“I know it’s controversial, but I think that one who doesn’t know where he is from, doesn’t know where he is going,” he said.

He said it is important for Mexicans to remember the root of the holiday and to celebrate it on the correct day.

However in a country with low wages and long workdays, the proposal to do away with the long weekends is very unpopular.

“#Conlospuentesno,” or “don’t do away with long weekends,” is trending on Twitter.

Outside of citizens’ uproar, experts from the tourism industry also voiced concerns about how the proposal will affect the economy because Mexicans often use long weekends to travel.

The initiative would affect holiday weekends including, Mexican Constitution Day.

The event took place Feb. 5 -- it fell on a Wednesday -- but was celebrated Feb. 3, the prior Monday.

Other possibly affected holidays include celebrations for Benito Juarez, Worker’s Day and Mexican Revolution Day.