Governor of the Bank of France Villeroy de Galhau: If the deficit is not controlled by 2026, France will face danger.

date
19/12/2025
French Central Bank Governor Villeroy de Galhau has said that if the plans to repair public finances fail to keep next year's deficit within 5% of economic output, France could face a market backlash. "If the deficit exceeds 5%, France would clearly be in danger," Villeroy de Galhau said. "In my experience, the calm on the market's surface may suddenly be shattered." As the year draws to a close, the possibility of passing a complete budget in the French Parliament is slim. The government has warned that the approved fiscal measures so far can only reduce the deficit to 5.3% of economic output by 2026, slightly lower than this year's 5.4%. While Villeroy de Galhau has previously emphasized fiscal risks, his comments do indicate a certain level of concern over the slow progress as France continues to be closely watched by investors.