Paris:French Economy Minister Roland Lescure has issued a stark warning that France will 'hit the wall' without budgetary consolidation. He emphasized the necessity of a budget to restore economic growth and reassure investors, stating that it is '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.'

According to Anadolu Agency – English, Lescure pointed out that growth has been absent for three quarters, describing the French economy as 'at a standstill' in 2026. Despite this, he reassured that 'France is not heading for a crisis.'

Lescure highlighted the importance of budgetary consolidation, warning that without it, the country would face significant challenges. He also described Article 49.3 of the Constitution and government ordinances as 'safety mechanisms' to ensure the country has a budget if parliamentary approval proves difficult. Article 49.3 permits the government to pass legislation with a parliamentary vote under certain conditions.

Additionally, Lescure reported that 400 applications had been received for zero-interest loans from businesses impacted by vandalism. He noted that between 1,000 and 1,500 businesses had been 'truly vandalized,' while around 3,000 had been 'affected,' though not necessarily vandalized. He affirmed the government's support for business owners and mentioned his plans to visit affected businesses in Bordeaux.