STORY CONTINUES BELOW THESE SALTWIRE VIDEOSPARIS - The French government aims to squeeze 16 billion euros in savings from its 2024 budget, finance minister Bruno Le Maire said on Thursday as he trimmed France's growth outlook.
The rest would come from a 4.5 billion euro reduction in state aid to companies, as well as lower spending on labour market support measures and unemployment benefits. Complicating that task, the euro zone's second-biggest economy is now expected to grow slightly slower next year than previously expected, Le Maire said as he outlined the main economic forecasts for the 2024 budget bill to be presented later this month.
He said French inflation should ease from 4.9% this year to 2.6% in 2024, nearing the European Central Bank's target and offering consumers relief.