Editorial: Le Monde

• The government made an assessment error of 18 billion euros, resulting in a delicate budgetary situation.
• The public deficit estimated for 2023 is significantly higher than what was forecast.
• The deficit, which has increased by 22% in a year, represents 5.5% of the GDP.
• France is facing pressures from its European partners and financial rating agencies due to the imbalance in its public accounts.
• To maintain a deficit below 3% of the GDP in 2027, 50 billion euros in savings will need to be found.
• Procrastinating on deficit reduction has only resulted in a steeper hill to climb now.
• Maintaining the current budgetary trajectory is becoming more and more hypothetical.
• It is essential to move beyond sterile debates and act prudently to balance savings and growth.

Conclusion: The country needs to improve the efficiency of public spending and reassess the level of taxation while simultaneously maintaining the need for indispensable investments in ecological transition, education, health, and defense.

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