French ministers to 'copy' budget that toppled last government

HowHow can a new government get a budget ready under the tightest of time pressure? By picking up where their predecessors left off, even if it got them kicked out of office, reports Politico.

That is at least what French prime minister François Bayrou plans on doing — using Michel Barnier’s blueprint as a starting point for his own budget, despite the fact that opposition lawmakers ousted him over proposals to cut spending and increase taxes.

However, multiple finance ministry officials who were granted anonymity to discuss sensitive internal matters said the move should be seen as a time-saving measure rather than an endorsement of the Barnier budget.

Starting from scratch would involve a series of legal formalities, which would significantly delay the adoption of the new budget that Bayrou, appointed just last month, said he wants to get passed by mid-February.

Read more of this report from Politico.