PARIS (Reuters – France will have to revise the current budget deficit reduction plan after a presidential vote in April, to avoid France falling behind other European nations.

President Emmanuel Macron’s government plans to trim the public sector deficit below the EU maximum of 3% gross domestic product by 2027. It was 5% in 2017 and is currently under EU control.

Two months after the election, Cour des Comptes condemned the government’s plans. It said they were at risk of fuelling divisions within the eurozone, in particular with fiscally conservative nations like Germany.

It stated that the next budget bill would be presented after spring elections in autumn 2022. This will reflect the changes made to the public finances, especially with regard to the health and economic situation, and plans by our European partners.

This is in response to a warning issued by the International Monetary Fund last month, which warned that France must rein in its public finances sooner than expected starting next year.

When the deficit reductions plans were revised following the election, the audit office recommended a strong dose of “realism”. Polls indicate that Macron will win.