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New French PM faces same fiscal headaches, rating agency S&P warns

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, September 10th 2025 at 13:40 GMT by reuters.com
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France’s New Prime Minister Faces Fiscal Challenges Amid S&P Warning

Paris, Sept 10, 2025 – In a country that has long grappled with the twin demons of soaring debt and persistent deficits, the newly appointed prime minister finds herself confronting a familiar fiscal dilemma. A recent briefing by Standard & Poor’s (S&P), the world’s leading sovereign‑credit rating agency, has added fresh urgency to an already precarious budgetary situation, signalling that France’s sovereign rating may be at risk if the government fails to curb its fiscal trajectory.

A Legacy of Debt‑Ridden Politics

France’s public debt, which has hovered around 100 % of GDP since the 2010s, remains stubbornly high. In 2024 the country’s deficit, measured as a percentage of GDP, rose to 4.2 % — well above the European Union’s Stability and Growth Pact ceiling of 3 %. The new prime minister, who took office following the resignation of her predecessor amid a wave of public protests against austerity measures, inherits a budgetary plan that S&P warns falls short of EU fiscal rules.

The agency’s report, released on Tuesday, highlights that France’s projected debt‑to‑GDP ratio for 2025 could climb to 102 %, while the deficit might stay above 3 % for the next three fiscal years. “If the French government does not implement a credible fiscal consolidation path, a downgrade is a real possibility,” the report states. “The current trajectory exposes France to heightened default risk, especially given the fragile growth environment.”

S&P’s analysis draws on a range of data, including Eurostat’s macro‑economic forecasts and the European Commission’s own projections. The Commission, which has overseen the EU’s fiscal discipline mechanism, has repeatedly warned that France’s deficit and debt positions are inconsistent with the “debt brake” rule that caps public debt at 60 % of GDP for the long term and enforces a gradual debt‑reduction path.

Policy Repercussions and Public Sentiment

The new prime minister’s policy agenda, announced in a televised speech last week, focuses on a blend of targeted spending cuts, tax reforms, and reforms to the public sector. She pledged to trim public expenditure by €20 billion over the next three years and to adjust the tax burden to increase revenue by a comparable amount. However, critics argue that these measures do not go far enough to bring France back within EU fiscal parameters.

Labor unions, which played a major role in the protests that forced the previous PM’s resignation, have warned that cuts to public services could erode social benefits that many French citizens rely on. Meanwhile, business groups have expressed concern that a steep tax hike might dampen investment and hamper economic growth.

“The government needs to balance fiscal prudence with the political reality of maintaining essential public services,” one senior economist at the Paris Institute of Political Studies noted. “The path to fiscal consolidation is fraught with political resistance.”

Implications for the Eurozone

France’s fiscal health is not just a domestic concern; it has broader ramifications for the Eurozone’s financial stability. The country has historically been a cornerstone of the EU’s economic architecture, and its debt level is often seen as a barometer of euro‑area fiscal health. A potential downgrade could ripple through the euro‑area markets, raising borrowing costs for other member states and fueling investor anxiety.

S&P’s warning arrives at a time when several other EU countries — including Italy and Greece — are grappling with similar debt‑to‑GDP challenges. The European Central Bank, which has been expanding its asset purchase program to support the euro, has reiterated its commitment to maintaining market stability but cautioned that sustained fiscal imbalances could undermine its objectives.

Looking Ahead

The new prime minister now faces a tight deadline. The EU’s fiscal calendar calls for member states to submit their medium‑term fiscal outlooks to the European Commission by mid‑2025. France’s latest plan, still under negotiation with Parliament, must be revised to align with both EU rules and S&P’s expectations.

In an interview with a leading French news outlet, the prime minister acknowledged the gravity of the situation: “We understand the challenges we face, and we are committed to implementing necessary reforms that safeguard France’s fiscal future while protecting the welfare of our citizens.”

The outcome of these negotiations will likely be decided in the coming months. Whether France can navigate the treacherous waters of fiscal consolidation without inciting widespread unrest will test the new government’s political acumen and economic stewardship.

Related Articles

• S&P warns of potential downgrade for France if deficits remain high (Reuters, Sept 10, 2025)
• EU Commission signals stricter scrutiny of member states’ fiscal plans (Reuters, Sept 5, 2025)
• France’s debt-to-GDP ratio remains at 100 % after last year’s fiscal challenges (Reuters, Aug 28, 2025)