Small adjustments have suggested to the overall fiscal targets by the Prime Minister of France Sebastian Lecorn And he ruled out “austerity” as he tries to gather support and prevent opposition MPs from removing him from his office.
In his second public statement on politics, since President Emmanuel Macron commissioned him to reach a consensus between the disagreeing MPs, Sebastian Lekorny said he would submit proposals based on a reduction in the deficit to about 4.7% of GDP in the following year.
This is slightly less ambitious than the 4.6% target set by its predecessor, François Bairou, who was removed from post after a vote of confidence due to his attempt to impose cuts.
Lekorny said his priority would also be to reduce spending, including a cut of 6 billion euros ($ 7 billion) to state operating expenses. He said that spending on pensions and health would increase.
“I start from scratch,” Lekorny told an interview published Friday (26.9.2025) in the Le Parisien newspaper. “It is inconceivable to draw up a budget for austerity and social regression.” It maintains a low profile from its appointment earlier this month, letting the opposition parties guess which concessions is willing to do.
The newly appointed French prime minister must move carefully after the National Assembly forced his two predecessors to resign. However, there are limits to what it can offer, as France needs to take significant steps to reduce the largest deficit in the eurozone.
Within ten days of taking over the duties of Lecorn, the country suffered two credit ratings and Thursday’s data showed that total debt increased more than 3.4 trillion. euro in the first half of this year.
The French prime minister said his slightly revised target of deficit would continue to be compatible with Bairo’s plan to reduce the deficit to 3% of the European Union by 2029.