Overview

• The Cour des Comptes has issued a critical report on France's public finances, warning of uncontrolled spending and rising deficits over the past two years.
• France's public deficit reached 6% of GDP in 2024, with projections for 2025 at 5.4%, far from the EU's 3% target, which is now delayed until 2029.
• The report criticizes reliance on temporary tax hikes rather than structural spending reforms, with core public expenditure continuing to grow at pre-crisis rates.
• Failure to meet deficit reduction targets could result in France falling behind its European partners and facing long-term financial instability.
• Debt levels are projected to exceed 125% of GDP by 2029, with debt servicing costs potentially doubling, surpassing all other state budget allocations.