Coming from the resigned ‘Lecornu’ government, French finance minister Roland Lescure will attempt, on Thursday 9 and Friday 10 October in Luxembourg, to “reassure” and convince his counterparts that the French authorities are hard at work to enable the adoption of a budget for France for 2026.
“There’s a pilot on the plane”, Mr Lescure told journalists on Wednesday 8 October, while describing the national political situation, which could change by the end of the week, as “serious”.
“I’m convinced that we’re going to make it”, said Lescure, referring to the adoption of a budget for 2026. He believes that his country’s economic fundamentals are “solid”, with growth forecasts and public deficit commitments (5.4% of national GDP in 2025) on track to be met.
Alongside the ministerial meetings, Mr Lescure will be holding discussions with his Italian, Spanish, Irish and Danish counterparts, as well as with the European Commission.
Under an excessive deficit procedure, France has undertaken to reduce its public deficit to 4.6% of GDP in 2026 and below 3% in 2029 (see EUROPE 13681/29). (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)