France faces rising debt and political uncertainty as Macron’s tenure nears its end

France is facing rising debt, growing public discontent and investor concerns as President Emmanuel Macron’s time in office nears its end.

Macron’s economic policies aimed to make France more business-friendly and strengthen its role in Europe.

But political crises and global shocks pushed the government toward higher spending, while economic growth is not in sight.

Investors are demanding higher interest rates on French government bonds than on Italian ones.

In the coming weeks, the minority government will try to pass a budget intended to reassure investors.

The leading presidential hopefuls, Marine Le Pen on the right and Jean-Luc Mélenchon on the left, have said they would reverse Macron’s reforms.

Macron is expected to leave office next year, and the outcome of the budget effort and the next election could shape France’s economic direction and its place in Europe.