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French budget minister warns of IMF, EU oversight risk

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on June 10, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 23, 2026

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French budget minister warns of IMF, EU oversight risk
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PARIS (Reuters) -France must put its finances into order or face the risk of being placed under the supervision of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or of European institutions, Budget Minister

France Faces Potential IMF and EU Oversight Without Budget Reforms

PARIS (Reuters) -France must put its finances into order or face the risk of being placed under the supervision of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or of European institutions, Budget Minister Amelie de Montchalin said on Tuesday.

"Today, we need to seize the budgetary weapon again, get our house in order, and put it back in order, because if we don't, others will decide for us," Montchalin told RTL radio.

"There is a risk of supervision by international institutions, European institutions, our creditors," she added when asked if France faced a risk of supervision by the IMF.

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou plans to unveil proposals in July to get public finances under control, hoping to push through a 40-billion-euro ($45.62 billion) budget squeeze in 2026.

France has a long history of flouting EU overspending rules and is currently running the biggest public sector deficit in the euro zone, at an estimated 5.4% of economic output this year.

($1 = 0.8768 euros)

(Reporting by Dominique Vidalon; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

Key Takeaways

  • France risks IMF and EU oversight without budget reforms.
  • Budget Minister Amelie de Montchalin emphasizes financial order.
  • France's public sector deficit is the largest in the euro zone.
  • Prime Minister Francois Bayrou plans a 40-billion-euro budget cut.
  • France has a history of flouting EU overspending rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the French Budget Minister warn about?
The French Budget Minister warned that France must put its finances in order to avoid potential supervision by the IMF or European institutions.
What is the proposed budget squeeze amount for 2026?
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou plans to implement a budget squeeze of 40 billion euros, approximately $45.62 billion, in 2026.
What is France's current public sector deficit?
France is currently running the largest public sector deficit in the euro zone, estimated at 5.4% of its economic output this year.
What did Montchalin emphasize regarding budget management?
Montchalin emphasized the need to 'seize the budgetary weapon again' and get France's finances back in order to prevent external decisions on its budget.

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