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Three weeks after presenting his eye-watering \u20ac44-billion budget cuts for next year, French Prime Minister Fran\u00e7ois Bayrou is embarking on an unusual PR stunt.<\/p>\n
As his approval ratings plummet, Bayrou has decided to launch a podcast and a series of YouTube videos to explain the outline of the 2026 budget<\/strong><\/a> directly to the French public. <\/p>\n The podcast will see its first episode broadcast this Tuesday at 5 pm. As for the YouTube videos, the first will focus on the general framework of the budget. Viewers will even be able to ask questions.<\/p>\n France’s public deficit hit 5.8% of GDP in 2024, totalling \u20ac168.6 billion, a figure well above the maximum allowed by EU rules.<\/p>\n On 15 July, the prime minister presented a massive savings plan, targeting nearly \u20ac44 billion for the 2026 budget.<\/p>\n In his announcement, Bayrou outlined significant budget cuts to slash tens of billions of euros, aiming to bring the deficit down to 5.4% of GDP this year and 4.6% in 2026.<\/p>\n Among the most controversial measures are slashing two bank holidays and freezing retirement pensions and social benefits. <\/p>\n In practical terms, this means these benefits will not be adjusted to inflation, as is usually the case.<\/p>\n Bayrou hopes the cuts will bring the deficit to below the 3% threshold set by the EU<\/strong><\/a> by 2029.<\/p>\n These decisions have been severely criticised by the opposition, in particular the far-right National Rally party, which is threatening to table a no-confidence vote when the budget will be examined in Parliament this autumn.<\/p>\n Bayrou said that he would “negotiate” with different political groups, but without “backing down” on the deficit reduction targets. <\/p>\n