Overview
- France 5’s C dans l’air published the 6 April 2024 letter marked “secret,” in which Bruno Le Maire warned of plunging tax receipts and pressed for a rectifying finance bill plus €15 billion in immediate savings to cap the 2024 deficit at 4.9%.
- The recommended measures were not enacted and the 2024 deficit ultimately reached 5.8% of GDP, with interviews in the documentary citing a €42 billion revenue shortfall versus initial forecasts.
- On the program, Le Maire acknowledged major forecasting errors, saying “we got revenues wrong, big time,” while maintaining he had repeatedly alerted the presidency and cabinet.
- Opposition figures intensified their criticism, with LFI’s Éric Coquerel calling the episode an “omission d’État” and Marine Le Pen accusing the executive of organized deception and budget insincerity.
- Current economy minister Roland Lescure said he had not known of the letter before its disclosure, as government spokeswoman Maud Bréjon defended 2024 actions by citing a €10 billion spending freeze.