France’s Dilemma: Protesters Demand Spending as Markets Require Fiscal Restraint

France’s government faces competing demands: students are protesting overcrowded classrooms, cancelled lessons and deteriorating school buildings, while investors expect tighter control of public spending. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has called for proposals to improve schools, even as the government’s 2027 budget seeks billions of euros in cuts. The deficit is projected to fall from 5.4% of economic output this year to 5% in 2027. Rising bond yields and high debt costs have sharpened concerns about France’s ability to maintain investor confidence while meeting public needs