France's 2024 budget deficit could top 6% of GDP, minister warns

As France's newly-formed government faces pressure to finalise its spending plans for 2025, Budget Minister Laurent Saint-Martin says the state of public finances is worse than was expected only a few days ago, and that this year's budget shortfall could top 6 percent of GDP – far above the government's earlier estimate of 5.1 percent. Plus, Commerzbank has named Bettina Orlopp as its new CEO, as it tries to fend off a possible hostile takeover by Italy's UniCredit. 

France's 2024 budget deficit could top 6% of GDP, minister warns
As France's newly-formed government faces pressure to finalise its spending plans for 2025, Budget Minister Laurent Saint-Martin says the state of public finances is worse than was expected only a few days ago, and that this year's budget shortfall could top 6 percent of GDP – far above the government's earlier estimate of 5.1 percent. Plus, Commerzbank has named Bettina Orlopp as its new CEO, as it tries to fend off a possible hostile takeover by Italy's UniCredit.