France's debt reaches three-decade high as austerity measures intensify
France's debt hits three-decade high at 121.7% GDP by 2027 despite 54 billion euro austerity measures.
Event / Politics
France Economic Outlook 2026-2027
France's economic projections and fiscal policy developments for 2026-2027, including debt forecasts, budget adjustments, and deficit reduction measures.
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37 articles0 articles
2026-08-22 to 2026-11-05 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 22 Aug, 15:51 UTC
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What happened
Medef organizes first major debate among seven 2027 presidential candidates
The Medef (French employers' confederation) organized a major debate on August 27, 2026, featuring seven principal candidates for the 2027 French presidential election. Business leaders questioned candidates about their economic proposals during the event.
Édouard Philippe calls for stricter regulations on sick leave absences
Édouard Philippe proposes ending what he describes as unrestricted sick leave abuse. He notes that sick leave absences increased by nearly 40% in value between 2019 and 2025, costing approximately 17 billion euros annually. He advocates for enforcing waiting periods on the first one or two days of short-term absences and creating a mandatory waiting period of three to six months between sick leave and termination by mutual agreement, citing Spain's approach to differentiate between short and long-term leave.
Édouard Philippe proposes reducing unemployment benefits to 12 months for under-50s
Édouard Philippe, candidate in the 2027 presidential election, stated in an interview with AFP that he aims to reduce maximum unemployment benefits to 12 months for job seekers under 50 years old, modeling the policy after Germany. Currently, the maximum duration is 18 months for those under 55 years old, following a 2023 reform that previously reduced the period from a maximum of 24 months.
Édouard Philippe advocates for protecting the Dutreil Pact for family business succession
Édouard Philippe calls for stability in the Dutreil Pact, a French tax measure facilitating the transfer of family-owned businesses to the next generation. He argues the provision gives family business owners certainty in their succession planning and criticizes periodic challenges to its existence. He opposes proposals to tax all inheritances above 12 million euros or to impose inheritance taxes from the first euro.
New unemployment reform to reduce benefits to 15 months for conventional severance starting September 2026
A new unemployment reform will reduce the maximum duration of benefits to 15 months in cases of conventional rupture (severance agreement) starting September 1, 2026.
Four Renaissance government ministers rally to support Édouard Philippe's presidential candidacy
Benjamin Haddad became the fourth member of the Renaissance party holding a government position to announce support for Édouard Philippe's presidential candidacy. The previous three were Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, Government Spokesperson Maud Bregeon, and Ecological Transition Minister Mathieu Lefèvre. Renaissance party leader Gabriel Attal also launched his own presidential campaign.
Benjamin Haddad expresses willingness to form center-right alliance in first round of 2027 election
Minister Benjamin Haddad stated that he was open to forming a first-round alliance with Republican candidate Bruno Retailleau to create a united center-right coalition, describing such unity as essential to prevent "catastrophe for the country." He indicated this potential alignment would be discussed "toward winter," suggesting preparations for the first round of voting.
Benjamin Haddad announces support for Édouard Philippe in 2027 French presidential election
Benjamin Haddad, France's Minister Delegate for Europe, announced on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, that he would support Édouard Philippe, the Horizons party candidate and mayor of Le Havre, in the April-May 2027 presidential election. Haddad stated that Philippe was "best positioned" to unite the center-right political coalition and expand to the right. He cited Philippe's positions on security, migration, and international affairs as reasons for his support.
Citizen assembly meetings held at National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts in Paris
The citizen assembly will meet at the Conservatoire national des arts et métiers in Paris for six weekend seminars. Experts will present on various topics before citizens break into subgroups of 50 to study specific policy dilemmas.
Jean-Marc Jancovici launches citizen assembly for 2027 presidential campaign
Jean-Marc Jancovici, founder and president of the Shift Project think tank, launched a citizen initiative called "Un commun accord" (A Common Agreement) on August 26, 2026. The initiative aims to give citizens a voice in debates on climate, energy, and economic issues during the 2027 presidential campaign.
Initiative funded through three million euros, mostly from private donations
The "Un commun accord" project has a budget of three million euros. Three-quarters of the funding has been secured through private donations, with crowdfunding being pursued to complete the budget.
150 randomly selected citizens to deliberate on policy dilemmas
A randomly selected panel of 150 citizens, chosen by Toluna Harris Interactive to represent societal diversity, will meet over six weekends starting September 19, 2026 through February 2027. The citizens will debate and exchange with experts on policy dilemmas including purchasing power versus employment, affordable food versus locally-produced goods, and other issues affecting France's future.
Online platform launched for public participation in citizen assembly debates
A website (uncommunaccord.fr) and crowdfunding platform (Ulule.com) were launched to allow citizens to contribute to debates on policy dilemmas and support the initiative financially. The project aims to maximize individual support to strengthen the legitimacy of the process.
Assembly designed to differ from 2019 citizen climate convention
Unlike the 2019-2020 Citizen Convention on Climate, the new assembly aims to present dilemmas inherent to all solutions, discuss their feasibility, and establish priorities through structured debate rather than focus only on climate issues.
Initiative receives support from a dozen public figures
The "Un commun accord" initiative is supported by approximately a dozen personalities including actor Thierry Lhermitte, influencers McFly and Carlito, Nobel Prize in Physics laureate Alain Aspect, Air Force General Frédéric Chiffot, and others from civil society.
Jancovici states he will not be a candidate and will not meet with presidential candidates until May 2027 vote
Jean-Marc Jancovici confirmed that he will not be a candidate in the 2027 presidential election and will not associate with presidential candidates until the May 2027 election verdict, emphasizing the initiative's non-partisan nature.
CFDT willing to work with government on taxing wealthy retirees
CFDT secretary general Marylise Léon stated the union is willing to work with the government on making wealthy retirees contribute financially to help reduce the public deficit by 28 billion euros for the 2027 budget. The union supports shared efforts to balance public accounts but did not specify an income threshold for affected retirees.
CFDT plans to discuss proposals with presidential candidates except Marine Le Pen
CFDT secretary general Marylise Léon announced the union will discuss its policy ideas with various presidential candidates in early 2027, but will not meet with Marine Le Pen. The CFDT stated it has a clear policy of not engaging with far-right candidates.
Two-thirds of inheritances in France currently subject to no inheritance tax
According to Bruno Le Maire, then Economy Minister, who was heard by the Senate Finance Commission in February 2022, two-thirds of inheritances are not subject to any inheritance tax in France, meaning inheritance tax concerns only a very limited number of French citizens.
Raphaël Glucksmann proposes inheritance tax on large estates
Socialist primary candidate Raphaël Glucksmann, running in the primary organized by Place publique and the Socialist Party, has proposed creating a tax on large inheritances as part of his platform.
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2 alternative perspectives
France accelerates 2027 budget adoption amid fiscal pressures
France pursues rapid 2027 budget adoption through pension changes and corporate tax relief amid fiscal pressures.
France downgrades 2026 growth to 0.5%, deficit hits 5%
France cuts 2026 growth forecast to 0.5% while budget deficit balloons above 5%.
France reduces corporate tax, introduces employee ownership plan for 2027
France cuts corporate taxes and launches employee ownership plan in 2027 budget strategy amid left-wing criticism.
Lecornu examines salary cuts for ministers and parliament amid budget crisis
Lecornu studies ministerial and parliamentary salary cuts to address France's budget crisis.
Ciotti unveils alliance framework and policy platform for 2027
Ciotti proposes Le Pen alliance with platform emphasizing territorial reform, pension restructuring, and immigration restrictions.
Zemmour expected to announce second presidential candidacy for 2027
Zemmour expected to announce second 2027 presidential candidacy.
Knafo open to joining RN government; Bardella named future Prime Minister
RN designates Bardella as future PM; Knafo open to joining government if party wins.
Lecornu convenes government amid cyberattacks, climate disasters, budget crisis
Lecornu convenes government amid cyberattacks, climate disasters, and budget standoff threatening billions.
Left-wing primary scheduled for October 9-10 and 16-17
Left-wing primary scheduled for October 9-10 and 16-17 to select 2027 presidential nominee.
Glucksmann unveils education platform with teacher pay and class size reforms
Glucksmann proposes teacher raises, smaller classes, and school diversity requirements in education platform.
Le Pen maintains commanding polling lead across all 2027 scenarios
Le Pen maintains commanding polling lead at 35-38% across all 2027 scenarios.