N@N

French government creaks as Barnier's budget woes weaken survival chances

The French government is facing significant political challenges as Michel Barnier, a former Brexit negotiator and potential candidate for the 2027 presidential election, has criticized the current administration's handling of the budget deficit. Barnier, who has been positioning himself as a centrist alternative, highlighted the government's failure to manage public finances effectively, which has led to a downgrade in France's credit rating by Standard & Poor's. This financial instability, coupled with internal divisions within President Emmanuel Macron's centrist alliance, is weakening the government's position. The article notes that these budget woes and political infighting could jeopardize the government's survival, especially with looming no-confidence votes and the upcoming European Parliament elections, where far-right parties are expected to gain ground. Barnier's comments underscore the broader dissatisfaction with the current leadership's economic policies and governance, potentially setting the stage for a significant political shift in France.

Read the Full Reuters Article at [ https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/french-government-creaks-barniers-budget-woes-weaken-survival-chances-2024-11-27/ ]