France, May 1 -- France is preparing for large May Day demonstrations on Thursday, as a political row deepens over which businesses should be allowed to open on the country's most symbolic public holiday.

A political row continues in France over whether certain small businesses - especially bakeries and florists - should be allowed to open on France's onlypublic holiday when paid rest is mandatory for non-essential businesses.

The issue resurfaced after five bakers in the western Vendee region were taken to court for making staff work on 1 May 2024. They were acquitted last week.

"Until now, we've always worked on 1 May without any problems," Dominique Anract, president of the national bakery and pastry union, told FranceInfo radio.

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