France outlines 2027 budget plan with 54 billion euro savings target

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has outlined a 2027 budget plan aimed at achieving 54 billion euros in savings. The proposed austerity measures include significant cuts to public services, such as a 2.5 billion euro reduction in the Ministry of Labor's budget and potential freezes on civil servant wages. Other measures under consideration involve reducing pension revaluations to below inflation and cutting budgets for environmental agencies.

To support local governance, Lecornu has promised 1.5 billion euros in additional resources to French departments, partly funded by reallocating portions of the General Social Contribution (CSG). Additionally, the government is considering increasing taxes on major transport infrastructure operators, such as airports and motorways, to generate approximately 1.4 billion euros annually.

In response to leaks regarding confidential budget working documents—specifically those concerning changes to employee profit-sharing contributions—the Paris Prosecutor's Office has opened a preliminary investigation into professional secrecy violations and breach of trust. This judicial action follows a rare move by the Prime Minister to seek legal recourse against the disclosure of sensitive economic information.