France’s government borrowing costs have surged as investors grow increasingly concerned about the country’s public finances, political uncertainty and ongoing protests. On Thursday, the premium investors demand to hold French 10-year government bonds over safer German bonds reached 173.58 basis points, its widest level since November 2011 during the euro zone debt crisis.
France has lowered its economic growth forecast for 2026 to 0.7%, down from the previously projected 0.9%, according to a mid-year public finance update presented to lawmakers by the Finance Ministry. The revised outlook reflects weaker-than-expected economic performance during the first half of the year. Finance Minister Roland Lescure said the downgrade was driven by

