French economy minister warns country will ‘hit the wall’ without budget consolidation
- Roland Lescure says economy is ‘at a standstill’ in 2026, reports 400 zero-interest loan applications from vandalized businesses
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- Roland Lescure says economy is ‘at a standstill’ in 2026, reports 400 zero-interest loan applications from vandalized businesses
By Seyma Erkul Dayanc
ISTANBUL (AA) - French Economy Minister Roland Lescure warned on Friday that the country would “hit the wall” without budgetary consolidation, saying a budget was essential to restore economic growth and reassure investors.
“We need a budget,” Lescure told Franceinfo, adding that it was “absolutely essential to ensure that we can get back on the path to growth and reassure all investors, because France is not heading for a crisis.”
“Growth has been missing for three quarters,” he said, describing the French economy as “at a standstill” in 2026.
“France is not heading for a crisis,” he stressed.
He warned: "Today, if we do not have the budgetary consolidation included in the budget, we will hit the wall.”
Lescure described Article 49.3 of the Constitution and government ordinances as “safety mechanisms” to ensure the country has a budget if parliamentary approval proves impossible. Article 49.3 allows the government to pass legislation with a parliamentary vote under certain conditions.
He also reported that 400 applications had been received for zero-interest loans from businesses affected by vandalism.
Between 1,000 and 1,500 businesses had been “truly vandalized,” while around 3,000 had been “affected,” though not necessarily vandalized, he said.
“We stand alongside business owners,” Lescure underlined, adding that he would visit affected businesses in Bordeaux on Friday.
Şeyma Erkul Dayanç