What does it mean 'eliminar los puentes'?

Question

What is the meaning 'eliminar los puentes'(bridges)in the following paragraph?

Actualizar las pensiones con el índice de precios al consumo desde el próximo 1 de enero -el "único y exclusivo" incremento del gasto para el año que viene-, bloquear el empleo público, eliminar los puentes y las prejubilaciones y recortar el déficit en 16.500 millones de euros.

Answer 1

I've never heard "puentes" used in that way. For what I saw doing a little research, it seems to refer to an effect that have the holidays (any holiday, not only Christmas), when they fall on Tuesday or Thursday. Apparently, because a lot of people take Monday or Friday off when this happens, this situation has an adverse effect on the economy, slowing it down. I guess they call it "puente" (bridge), because it links two non working days, adding the middle working day.

Very interesting!! Thank you. - faliron, Dec 19, 2011

Thanks for the investment of research and contemplation. That was "the good heart". - 0000000, Dec 19, 2011

They have a name 'puentes festivos'! - faliron, Dec 19, 2011

Answer 2

Guillermo 2 ,You have the best definition I have heard. Al tomar mis vacaciones ,las elegía que cayeran en "puente" para tomar más días. When taking my vacation i chose it to fall into the long weekend to take more days

puente: m (entre dos fiestas) long weekend Puentes are very important in Spain and most of Latin America. Hacer puente means that when a working day falls between two public holidays, it too is taken as a holiday.

Update the pensions in the consumer price index from January 1-the "one and only" increase in spending for next year-, block public employment, eliminating early retirement and long weekends and cut the deficit to 16 500 million euros.

This is it! While I was living in Barcelona people did this all the time. Imagine a Wednesday and Friday holidays during the week, someone would take a "puente," meaning they take a vacation / holiday on Thursday as well. - sublime257, Dec 19, 2011

Answer 3

Doesn't "hacer puente" also mean to take a long break, ie, a long weekend.

That's what Guillermo2 is saying... ;) - chileno, Dec 19, 2011