Both political forces have lavish spending plans that are spooking investors
Also in this newsletter: Russia is earning billions through LNG transshipments in Europe
EU officials fear bigger battle with Paris on budget rules if far right or left take power after election
Corporate leaders are more alarmed by leftwing alliance’s radical tax agenda than unfunded promises of far-right RN
Both the far right and leftwing are touting populist and uncosted policies
Philip Lane says sell-off of country’s debt does not meet criteria to invoke central bank’s emergency powers
RN’s economic programme could be twice as costly as tax cuts by former UK premier Liz Truss
Sell-off in French government debt has pushed borrowing costs for some maturities above those of Portugal
Private equity firm invests €1bn in start-up set to challenge SNCF on intercity routes
S&P warns debt ratios will only worsen in coming years and put Paris’s 2027 target for controlling deficit out of reach
The president’s centrist alliance faces a drubbing in EU elections amid growing pressure on government finances
Arnaud Lagardère’s exit comes as Bernard Arnault and Vincent Bolloré prepare their own successions
GDP expansion in largest economies comes as bloc’s headline inflation remains at 2.4% but core rate keeps falling
Paris wants sensitive parts of indebted tech company to remain in national hands
President has a good record on rebooting economy but has failed to shrink the budget deficit
Wall Street institutions press for French labour law reforms to bring down high redundancy payouts
Price growth in key eurozone economies undershoots expectations
Finance minister says nation needs ‘wake-up call’ on excessive spending
Finance minister Bruno Le Maire says budget shortfall for 2023 is ‘significantly’ above the targeted 4.9% of GDP
Central bank faces quandary over when to cut interest rates despite price drops in Germany and France
Government pledges another €10bn in cuts due to lower than expected economic expansion
Widespread agriculture protests in Europe highlight tough conditions
French banks, including Crédit Agricole, have struggled to reap benefits of higher interest rates at home
Price pressures in eurozone’s two largest economies ease thanks to lower energy and goods inflation
Shrinking German output and stalled French growth offset improved figures in Italy and Spain
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