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Central bank chief says the longer France waits to tackle debt, more painful it will be

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on September 2, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 22, 2026

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Central bank chief says the longer France waits to tackle debt, more painful it will be
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PARIS (Reuters) -The longer France puts off tackling its excessive budget deficit and debt, the more painful it will be to find a solution, central bank head Francois Villeroy de Galhau said on

Central bank chief says the longer France waits to tackle debt, more painful ...

Urgent Call for Debt Management in France

PARIS (Reuters) -The longer France puts off tackling its excessive budget deficit and debt, the more painful it will be to find a solution, central bank head Francois Villeroy de Galhau said on Tuesday.

Government's Financial Challenges

With the government facing possible collapse in a vote of confidence next week, Villeroy added that now more than ever was the time to rein in public finances, but the effort must be shared broadly.

Market Reactions to Debt Concerns

French bonds and stocks sold off last week after centrist Prime Minister Francois Bayrou called a Sept. 8 confidence vote on his debt-cutting plan. Opposition lawmakers have both rejected the budget plan and said they will vote against the government next week.

"The longer our country waits to tackle this issue, the more painful the treatment will be. And it is desirable that this effort be fair and shared by all," Villeroy said in remarks prepared to be published on LinkedIn.

(Reporting by Makini Brice and Leigh ThomasEditing by Dominique Vidalon and Frances Kerry)

Key Takeaways

  • France's central bank chief warns of delayed debt action.
  • Government faces confidence vote over debt plan.
  • Market reacts negatively to debt concerns.
  • Urgent call for shared financial responsibility.
  • Opposition rejects current budget plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is debt sustainability?
Debt sustainability refers to a country's ability to manage its debt without requiring debt relief or accumulating further debt. It involves ensuring that debt levels remain manageable relative to the country's economic output.

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