The French government is prepared to “make concessions” to get its budget though parliament and avoid a market “storm”, the country’s finance minister said on Thursday, in a stand-off that risks bringing down Michel Barnier,

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier on Thursday announced a major concession in a bid to end a standoff with the opposition over the budget, which has caused jitters on financial markets and risks

French MPs have spent weeks debating the Barnier government’s hastily prepared budget, which includes €40 billion in spending cuts and €20 billion in tax hikes. The bill aims to reduce the French budget deficit, which is projected to hit 6.1 percent of gross domestic product in 2024.

Barnier's government could fall before Christmas, and perhaps even by next week, if far-right and leftist foes force a no-confidence motion that he is likely to lose, according to a dozen sources from across the political spectrum.

More half of the French want the current government to fall, a survey showed on Thursday. The reason for the anger is Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s budget proposal, which entails both steep tax

French Finance Minister Antoine Armand said he is prepared to make concessions on the 2025 budget bill to avoid opposition parties bringing down the government. Prime Minister Michel Barnier's administration risks being toppled in the coming weeks as opposition lawmakers threaten to unite in no-confidence votes over its fiscal plans.