20/06/2023 (Agence Europe) – At a conference on public finances on Monday 19 June, France’s Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire reiterated the French government's determination to eliminate an excessive public deficit by 2027, based on the following trajectory: 4.9% of national GDP in 2023, 4.4% in 2024 and 2.7% in 2027. At the same time, public debt would be reduced by 4%. Mr Le Maire announced “€10 billion” in savings, namely by abolishing the ‘shield’ on gas in June, while the ‘shield’ on electricity will be abolished by the end of 2024. It is expected that players will be held “more accountable” for their healthcare spending and that energy taxation, particularly excise duties on road transport, will be tightened. Read the Mayor's speech: https://aeur.eu/f/7ll (MB)