Wall Street Journal reports the French finance minister said the government is prepared to invoke Article 49.3 next year to force through a budget with about €43 billion of spending cuts if budget talks deadlock. The minister set two red lines: keep the deficit below 5% of GDP and avoid measures that would harm growth. French borrowing costs have risen and investors worry political deadlock could hinder public-spending control. If 49.3 is used deputies may table a no-confidence motion; if the bu

Wall Street Journal reports the French finance minister said the government is prepared to invoke Article 49.3 next year to force through a budget with about €43 billion of spending cuts if budget talks deadlock. The minister set two red lines: keep the deficit below 5% of GDP and avoid measures that would harm growth. French borrowing costs have risen and investors worry political deadlock could hinder public-spending control. If 49.3 is used deputies may table a no-confidence motion; if the budget is not finally voted within 70 days the government can adopt it by ordinance.