The French public deficit “risk of exceeding” 6% of GDP this year, compared to 5.1% initially expected, declared Budget Minister Laurent Saint-Martin on Wednesday, September 25. “Yes, the situation of our public finances is serious, and I won’t beat around the bush: in 2024, the public deficit risks exceeding 6% of GDP”he announced before the Finance Committee of the National Assembly. Furthermore, Laurent Saint-Martin added that he would present the draft budget for 2025 “in two weeks” before Parliament on October 9. He recommends “priority” a reduction in spending, rather than an increase in taxation, to clean up public finances. Follow our live feed.
Meeting with social partners. During the second day of meetings between the social partners and the Prime Minister, Michel Barnier met Sophie Binet on Wednesday morning. The number one of the CGT asked the government to“bury” unemployment insurance reform and“repeal” pension reform. Consultations are continuing with the CFE-CGC and the CFTC. A meeting of the heads of the parliamentary groups of the right and the center who support the executive around the Prime Minister is also planned for the afternoon, at Matignon.
Pannier-Runacher believes that the RN carries “ideas that are dangerous for the republican pact”. The day after the controversy surrounding the comments made by the new Minister of the Economy, Antoine Armand, on the National Rally, the Minister of Ecology, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, declared on TF1 that “The RN carries ideas that are dangerous for the republican pact”specifying that she “does not adhere to these ideas.” “We are under the control of the French people first and foremost and of eleven political groups in the National Assembly”she insisted.
Two new ministers expected, including one responsible for disability. A minister delegate for people with disabilities will be appointed on Wednesday afternoon, France Inter learned from Matignon. The absence of a portfolio dedicated to the issue of disability in the initial composition of Michel Barnier’s government, announced on Saturday, had sparked controversy. Paul Christophe, Minister of Solidarity and Autonomy, had assured that he would be in charge of this subject. A Minister Delegate for the Armed Forces and Veterans will also be appointed, France Inter learned from the same source.