French budget

Markets

Euro hits 17-month low on French debt fears and Spanish turmoil

The euro slid to its weakest level against the US dollar since May 2025 on Monday, as France's debt troubles and Spain's political turmoil, capped by a snap election call, fuelled fears of a fresh eurozone crisis and of contagion across the bloc's bond markets.

5 October 2026

Economy

French government forecasts 1% growth in 2027: What do experts think?

France's High Council for Public Finance calls the government's 1.0% growth forecast for the 2027 budget "optimistic", as economists warn of a possible "slippage" and the executive still has to secure approval.

2 October 2026

Business

France's public debt soars to a record 119% of GDP

France's public debt reached 3,595.5 billion euros at the end of June, Insee said, a record high that is set to keep rising as the outlook worsens.

29 September 2026

World News

France adopts budget after government survives no-confidence votes

After several months of stalemate, the long-overdue State budget for 2026 has finally been adopted.

2 February 2026

France

French government avoids collapse after surviving no-confidence votes

Despite two no-confidence motions filed by the hard left and the far right, the French government avoided collapse, saved by the moderate left Socialists and conservative lawmakers.

23 January 2026

France

France to miss 2026 budget deadline as lawmakers fail to reach deal

French lawmakers failed Friday to agree a 2026 budget in joint committee talks, forcing government to seek emergency legislation to roll over 2025 budget.

19 December 2025

Europe News

French unions stage new strike against budget plan as turnout dwindles

The call for strike action by three trade unions (the CGT, FSU and Solidaires) saw a significantly lower turnout compared to previous occasions in September and October.

2 December 2025

France

France's PM proposes suspending retirement age law until 2027

With his government hanging by a thread, France's newly reappointed prime minister must make concessions to avoid a no-confidence vote this week.

14 October 2025

France

New French PM Lecornu assembles cabinet amid intense protests

Amid protests, Lecornu finalised the cabinet with Bruno Le Maire as the armed forces minister. President Macron's allies retain posts, and a general policy speech is awaited.

5 October 2025

France

French unions announce new strikes after failed talks with PM Lecornu

France's trade unions call for new nationwide strike on 2 October to pile the pressure on new French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu.

24 September 2025

France

Lecornu announces end to 'lifetime' benefits for ex-prime ministers

Lecornu was named prime minister on 9 September, replacing François Bayrou who lost a vote of confidence in parliament after proposing €44 billion in budget cuts in a bid to reign in France's national debt.

16 September 2025

France

France's far-left leader Melenchon again demands Macron's impeachment

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of far-left party France Unbowed, said he will introduce a new motion to demand Emmanuel Macron's impeachment.

26 August 2025

Europe News

French PM launches podcast to defend his 2026 budget cuts

Under fire for his unpopular €44-billion savings plan, PM François Bayrou has decided to turn to YouTube and a podcast series to try to convince the French public.

5 August 2025

Economy

French PM proposes slashing two public holidays to reduce deficit

France’s public deficit hit 5.8% of GDP in 2024, totalling €168.6 billion, a figure well above the maximum allowed by EU rules.

15 July 2025

EuroVerify

Can France's prime minister call a referendum on the budget?

The potential move follows the passing of France's tumultuous 2025 budget in February, which aims to reduce the public deficit to 5.4% of GDP this year.

8 May 2025

Culture news

Budget cuts spark stern response from France's Académie des beaux-arts

With severe budget cuts hitting France’s arts sector, the Académie des beaux-arts warns of threats to creativity and democratic freedoms.

10 February 2025