French Economy ‘Headed for a Wall’ as GDP Shrinks, Finance Minister Warns

French Finance Minister Roland Lescure warned the country is “headed for a wall” unless the government passes a budget to reduce its deficit. Official figures showed GDP fell 0.1% in the third quarter, following a 0.2% contraction in the first quarter and stagnation in the second. Inflation rose to 3.4% in October from 3.1% in September, the fastest pace since January 2024, according to Insee. Lescure said the economy had seen no growth for three quarters. Weak activity complicates budget planning.